Georgian warriors who are fighting in Ukraine today are volunteers, they represent Georgian dignity there voluntarily, by their choice, – said the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, at a meeting held in the Orbeliani Palace in connection with the International Day of Volunteers and within the framework of the “Our Voice for Europe” campaign.
At the same time, the people gathered in the Orbeliani Palace honored the Georgian fighters who died in Ukraine with a moment of silence at the initiative of the President.
“Volunteering is nothing new. Volunteers were those brothers-in-arms in 1924, when together with Cholokashvili, they fought against a foreign regime that was trying to establish itself. It was true volunteering.
“Georgian soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine today are also volunteers, they represent Georgian dignity there voluntarily, by their choice, and I want us to honor with a moment of silence those boys who sacrificed their lives there and are very valuable to us,” said Salome Zurabishvili.
During the meeting with the volunteers, the President spoke about the importance of volunteering for the country in her welcoming speech.
She claimed that volunteering is a true manifestation of citizenship.
“It’s impressive how many of you there are. I’m glad you all made it and came to the Palace. It is very important that you are here because all of you who are here are volunteers. There are also volunteers, which is another category and this country has passed through a different period. Volunteering is a true manifestation of citizenship and it is understanding that society and country are based on personal initiative, and you all have demonstrated this. At the same time, personal initiative means a sense of responsibility, that we are all equally responsible for this country and its people. Some a little more, for example the President, but not always. We all have something to contribute called volunteerism and initiative. It’s remarkable that so many of you have come and I wish there was more room here to accommodate us all. This Palace cannot physically accommodate more people.
You represent a very great force that no one can contain because it is a free force. You are Europe because this is Europe: freedom, free initiative, free understanding of what the society around you and the country needs,” said Salome Zurabishvili.
For information, the President of Georgia, in connection with the International Day of Volunteering and within the framework of the European signature campaign “Our Voice for Europe”, hosted volunteers in the Orbelian Palace.
