Georgian Premier emphasizes “duty to preserve” national language on anniversary

Georgia: On Thursday, Georgian Premier Irakli Garibashvili stressed the “responsibility to preserve and treat with respect” the national language in remarks celebrating the Language Day of Georgia all over the country.

PM further stated that the Georgian language integrated “Georgian identity, historical memory, patriotic enthusiasm, and national self-consciousness,” recalling a demonstration on April 14, 1978, in which Georgian citizens protested Soviet authorities’ plans to strip of its official status.

“For our country, the language is a value that has always been uncompromisingly protected, and April 14, 1978, became a symbol of this – this is the day of the state language that was won by the individuals under an authoritarian regime. Our victory preserved the state status not only of the Georgian language but also of the languages of other Soviet Republics,” the Premier of the Government said.

Moreover, the Prime Minister also emphasised that it is the “responsibility of each of us” to treat the language’s “real treasure” with “special respect” and to maintain, develop, and carry on its traditions to future generations.

Several Citizens of Georgia, including students, professors, and teachers, came to the streets of Tbilisi in protest against the Soviet Government’s decision to remove the clause in the Soviet Georgian Constitution that solidified the status of Georgian as the official state language.

The authorities were finally eventually forced to retract the plans and maintain the status quo as set down in the Constitution.