The President of Georgia marked the anniversary of the April 9 tragedy by emphasising that the legacy of this historic date imposes a continuous responsibility on every citizen to protect the nation's sovereignty.

“April 9, 1989, is one of the most significant dates in Georgia’s recent history - a day of both immense tragedy and great victory, which became a turning point on the difficult path of the Georgian people’s struggle for freedom and left an indelible mark on our country’s centuries-old history.

The tragic events that unfolded on Rustaveli Avenue and the sacrifice of the Georgian people showed the whole world that for us, dignity and freedom stand above life itself. Even the tragic events of that night could not silence the voice of the Georgian nation, which demanded independence.

The night of April 9 became a symbol of national unity and unwavering struggle, which led to the restoration of Georgia’s state independence two years later, on April 9, 1991.

Thank you for freedom! Long live independent Georgia! May God protect us”, - writes Mikheil Kavelashvili on the social media.