Georgians Remember April 9 Heroes

TBILISI – April 9 is a symbolic day in the history of Georgia. It marks two important events – the April 9th tragedy and the restoration of Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union.

Today, Georgia celebrates the 26rd anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union and the 28th anniversary of the April 9 tragedy, when the Soviet Union's armed forces dispersed a peaceful demonstration in the center of Tbilisi in 1989. 

Citizens of Georgia gather at the memorial located in front of the old Parliament building in Tbilisi, to pay tribute to the victims. 20 people were killed on April 9, 1989 in a peaceful demonstration demanding the country’s independence from the Soviet regime. Sixteen died at the scene while four died later from injuries, hundreds of others were injured, poisoned and taken to hospitals. 

On April 9, 1991, the legislative body of the country and the first president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, adopted the Declaration of Independence and announced Georgia’s sovereignty from the Soviet Union.

Georgian leaders, officials and ordinary citizens brought flowers to the April 9 memorial and remembered the fallen heroes.

“April 9 is a very significant date for us. We all should do our best to make Georgia united and independent again,” Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated while delivering speech at the memorial.

The President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili noted that it is very important never to forget the people who sacrificed their lives for the independence of their country.

Georgia’s Catholicos-patriarch, Ilia II conducted a special service to honor the April 9 heroes.

  By Thea Morrison