The rules of visa–free travel with countries and their proper use, women’s rights today and the history of the struggle for these rights, documentary memory and national heritage of our country, contemporary artists from Shida Kartli – these are the topics that the Ministry of Justice shared at a solemn event dedicated to the Independence Day of Georgia.
On May 26, the Ministry hosted a large-scale event in Gori to celebrate the Independence Day of Georgia. The event’s slogan was “Share Knowledge” and under this theme the Ministry provided attendees with information on some of the most significant issues facing the country.
The Ministry of Justice of Georgia played a significant role in the successful conclusion of the visa liberalization process with the European Union. Therefore, the Ministry shared information about the visa-free regime with participants in the ceremony.
For one day, the main square of Gori was transformed into a simulated airport. Visitors to the visa liberalization pavilion learned about the details of the visa-free system, underwent “passport control,” “boarded a plane”, “waited for baggage”, selected their desired destination on a map of Europe, used a guidebook and took a photo against a backdrop of their chosen city.
As the originator of legislative reforms addressing violence against women, the Ministry of Justice also shared information with event attendees about the history of women’s movement in Georgia. Gori holds particular significance in this context as it was in this city that the first women’s organization – “Mandilosani” was founded in 1913. The founders of the organization were Ana Amilakhvari, Anastasia Eristavi-Khoshtaria, Olga Goglachidze, Tinatin Javrovi, Ana Maisuradze, Mariam Eliozashvili, Ketevan Javakhishvili and Anastasia Kapanadze, among others. Their aim was to assist poor women residing in Gori. To commemorate the remarkable Georgian women from the early 20th century, an event was hosted on May 26 at the Art Café “Mandilosani”. The costumes and created atmosphere allowed café guests to travel back in time to the beginning of last century, while also getting acquainted with works by contemporary artists. Georgian animation and excellent Georgian documentaries were presented to the participants of the ceremony by the National Archive of the Ministry of Justice. A cinema in the open air, in the form of a decorative cinema, was set up, where animation films and documentaries restored by the Justice Archive were periodically shown throughout the day. In addition, a photo exhibition from the National Archives was displayed in the cinema hall.
In addition, a gardening and handicrafts festival was held, where residents of Gori and visitors to the city were able to taste and purchase a variety of cheeses, dried fruits, honey and different types of wine. The youngest participants of the Independence Day event were able to enjoy the children’s play area and participate in various activities throughout the day. One of the highlights of the celebration commemorating independence of Georgia was the performance of national anthem of Georgia. The anthem, as throughout Georgia, was performed at 5:10 pm by the Gori Women’s Choir, accompanied by sign language.
