On November 29, it was announced that Tbilisi’s main New Year’s slogan will be “Tbilisi — City of Peace”. City Hall is installing the same inscription near the fairy-light Christmas Tree in Freedom Square.
The choice of slogan unsurprisingly resulted in a lot of criticism from a large part of society, considering there is an ongoing war in Georgia’s friend country – Ukraine.
On November 30, citizens held a rally demanding a change to the New Year’s slogan installed on Freedom Square.
“There was no political message in the New Year’s slogan – there is no alternative to peace. What should we do, friends, not wish for peace? Shouldn’t we send this cherished wish from Tbilisi to all the countries of the world?” the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, stated at a meeting of the capital’s government.
He claimed that the statements that Tbilisi’s 2023 slogan – “City of Peace” is a mockery of Ukrainians are the worst speculation and provocation.
“This year, our New Year’s slogan will be ‘City of Peace’. Peace is very important for our country, for our city, and in the light of the challenges that are happening in the region, the situation in the world, of course, the first thing anyone longs for is peace. I want to respond to a rather disturbing trend. When the government, the government of the capital, or other agency, voices an idea based on universal values, an initiative from the public, then immediate bullying, insulting, slandering starts. I don’t know what to call this situation, but I know for sure that this is not the order of our society. Yesterday, certain media outlets and politicians tried to present our New Year’s slogan as a mockery of our Ukrainian friends, which is the worst speculation and provocation that a person imbued with love for our country and city could ever do. I understand very well that these people have no love, respect or dignity for their homeland,” said Kaladze.
By Ana Dumbadze
Image source: Netgazeti
