“It is the duty of each and every one of us to protect and cherish the freedom of Georgia, won at the cost of our fellow citizens' blood, and to continue unwaveringly on the path of strengthening our sovereignty!” – writes Mikheil Kavelashvili on social media, marking 36 years since the events of April 9.

As Kavelashvili notes, the significance of April 9, 1989, is immeasurable, because it made Georgia’s path toward independence irreversible.

“April 9 is both a tragic and proud date in the recent history of our country – it is the day of the triumph of freedom, when tens of thousands of Georgians united to defend the most precious thing: the country’s independence.

More than three decades have passed since the tragic events of April 9, 1989, but each of us continues to remember this day with deep sorrow and, at the same time, pride.

The significance of this day is immeasurable – April 9 made Georgia’s path toward independence irreversible!

We are infinitely grateful to those who stood fearlessly on guard for Georgia’s freedom on that day and gave their lives for the independence of our homeland. We will never forget their memory.

Their heroism will remain in our nation’s history as a proud example of dedication for future generations!

It is the duty of each and every one of us to protect and cherish the freedom of Georgia, gained at the cost of our fellow citizens’ blood, and to continue unwaveringly on the path of strengthening our sovereignty!

Glory to the heroes, and thank you for our freedom!” – writes Mikheil Kavelashvili.