This year, Georgia celebrates an historic milestone — the 100th anniversary since its formation as a democratic republic. In 1918, Georgia began to build a modern state, which identified a commitment to democratic values and a European future as two of its key priorities. Georgia was then among the first countries of Europe to conduct democratic elections, to achieve effective participation of women in political life, to adopt its constitution (which still holds an honorable place in the history of constitutionalism), and to implement number of democratic reforms.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia, the Embassy of Georgia to the United States has started a series of cultural, educational, and country-promotional events in April, which will peak in May and continue throughout 2018.

On April 16, at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, theEmbassy hosted a movie screening of the iconic Georgian movie ‘Repentance’ with an introduction to the history of Georgia’s fight for freedom under Soviet occupation. Acclaimed Georgian film director Tengiz Abuladze’s ‘Repentance’ was first banned in the Soviet Union for its allegorical critique of Stalinism. The movie premiered at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, winning the Grand Prize of Jury and reaching a wider audience outside USSR. The Embassy Movie Series is a joint project of the Embassy of Georgia and the Georgian National Film Center (GNFC), and offers monthly screenings of Georgian classics and contemporary movies in celebration of the centennial anniversary.

Also in April, the Embassy hosted a couple of Georgian culture, tourism and wine promotional events. The Embassy in cooperation with Things to Do DC hosted the Georgian Wines (Country) vs. Georgian Wines (U.S. State) themed wine tasting. The Embassy introduced its guests to the tourism potential of Georgia, as well as to the much-celebrated Georgian wine and cuisine.

At the World Bank headquarters, to highlight the role of the World Bank in the development of Georgia for more than 25 years, the Georgian Embassy and the WB Georgian Staff Association, hosted a Georgian wine tastingevent for the WB Executive Directors prior to their visit to Tbilisi later in May. In addition, the Embassy plans to hold the Georgian heritage days there in June of this year.

In collaboration with the US-based diaspora organization Georgian Center, the Embassy hosted another Georgian Culture Night on April 5th. The event featured Georgian traditional folk music, a performance by a newly formed Georgian dancing group in Washington DC area, a stand-up comedy performance, a collection of Georgian designers’ clothes and accessories, and an exhibit of the work of Georgian artists.

In addition, the Embassy and the Georgian Center represented Georgia at La Grande Fete — a closing event of the celebration of the 2018 DC Francophonie Cultural Festival at the French Embassy in the U.S. The Georgian exhibit featured Georgian national costumes, artifacts from Georgia, and Georgian cuisine and wine. A group of Georgian dancers and singers from Georgian Center complemented the exhibit with national dance and traditional songs. Additionally, the group performed a flash mob featuring elements of Georgian national dance.

May will feature even more exciting educational and celebratory events hosted by the Embassy of Georgia in collaboration with its partners from the diaspora and local organizations, which we will highlight in the next edition of the newsletter.

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