“The Palace of Students and Youth has nurtured countless generations for our country. This palace safeguards our democratic history; it was precisely here that the first republic’s government was housed, here that Georgia’s independence was declared anew, and here that the foundations of Georgian parliamentarism were laid,” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared during his speech at the opening ceremony of the renovated Palace of Students and Youth.

According to the Prime Minister, this building is not merely an architectural monument and part of the country’s cultural heritage, but an integral part of Georgia’s history.

“It is a tremendous honour for me to be here with you, and I am filled with great joy to have the opportunity to participate in this event. Today’s opening of the National Palace of Students and Youth represents a symbolic culmination of this year’s Tbilisoba celebrations, and the fact that we are returning this extraordinary palace to our young people in its renewed form, with fresh brilliance.

This building is not merely an architectural monument, nor is it our cultural heritage solely in that regard. This is an integral part of our history. This is a palace that preserves our country’s history. This palace has nurtured generations for our country, creators and representatives of science and sport, and it was our responsibility to show particular care towards this palace.

I should also like to remind you that this palace safeguards our democratic history. The first republic’s government was housed precisely in this palace. It was precisely here that Georgia’s independence was declared anew, and here that the foundations of Georgian parliamentarism were laid. This, too, is the responsibility that rests upon us regarding this monument of cultural heritage.

This represents a special investment that has been undertaken, and the most precious and significant investment is that which is made for the benefit of future generations and young people. This palace has nurtured many generations for our country. The song performed by the girls today was deeply moving, and this reminds us how precious the work being carried out in this national palace is,” the Prime Minister declared.