“When we demanded state independence, we knew why we needed it, what we had to defend, to fight for, what should be the essence of our country,” writes the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, on social media.

“Happy Georgian Language Day!

For almost half a century, we have been celebrating Mother Language Day in Georgia. On April 14, 1978, youth and intellectuals roared in unison to protect the Georgian language. The demonstration held to preserve the status of the state language was, in reality, a heroic act of defending and making sacrifices for Georgian identity.

Language, homeland, faith! Ilia’s formula, defining our uniqueness preserved the charge of Georgian nationality even during the Soviet period.

April 14 was the true precursor to the national movement that surged in the following decade. When we demanded state independence, we knew why we needed it, what we had to defend and fight for, and what should be the essence of our country.

The Georgian language represents the strong and irreplaceable foundation of the Georgian state and Georgian consciousness. This is what unites us, preserves our past, and without which we cannot have a future.

It is disheartening to witness even a small group today, influenced by an artificially imposed globalist ideology, prioritizing foreign interests over our homeland, viewing the Georgian language as secondary, and distorting our faith.

Previous generations bravely carried the banner of language, homeland, and faith in a Soviet, atheistic, rights-deprived country. Today, a foreign mentality, disguised in sheep’s clothing, seeks to undermine this legacy.

Despite this, the Georgian people have endured worse times, used wisdom, skill, and strength, have not lost what is theirs and have not coveted what belongs to others. Because our goals and mission are eternal, span millennia, and are directed toward infinity,” Shalva Papuashvili stated on Facebook.