The Embassy concluded the month of May with a set of cultural activities in celebration of Georgia’s Independence Day in Washington, D.C. The events commemorated Georgia’s rich history and cultural heritage and brought together the Georgian community, distinguished guests, and partners to honor the significant occasion.
Georgian Jazz at Blues Alley
The celebrations kicked off with Giorgi Mikadze’s sold-out concert at the oldest jazz club in the United States, Blues Alley. The renowned Georgian musician and his jazz trio “the Great Georgian Songbook” enthralled the audience with their fusion of traditional Georgian music and contemporary jazz. Attendees also had the opportunity to indulge in Georgian wine provided by Wines of Georgia – Georgian Wine House D.C. and Teliani Valley.
This unique event showcased famous melodies from Georgian films, cartoons, and theatrical music composed in the 20th century, paying tribute to Georgian composers such as Giya Kancheli, Nodar Gabunia, Sulkhan Tsintsadze, Revaz Laghidze, Shota Milorava, Bidzina Kvernadze, Djansug Kakhidze, and many more.
Cultural Evening with the Georgian Community
The celebrations continued with a cultural evening for Georgian diaspora hosted by the St. Tamar Orthodox Church, the Washington Church of the Ascension, and Saint Agnes. The Theater Quartet, accompanied by Keti Gabisiani and Nikoloz Tsulukidze, brought unforgettable moments with their captivating performances. We give our heartfelt gratitude to the church and Deacon Pavle Zakaraia for their warm hospitality.
Illuminating the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge
As a symbolic gesture, the iconic Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington was illuminated in red and white for the first time to mark Georgia’s Independence Day. We are thankful to the Washington, D.C. City Hall and Mayor Bowser for their support and for officially recognizing May 26 as Georgia’s Independence Day in the District of Columbia. This magnificent display showcased the vibrant spirit of Georgia in the heart of the U.S. capital.
The Gala Event: Independence Day of Georgia at the U.S. Library of Congress
The main Independence Day event took place at the iconic U.S. Library of Congress. The evening began with an opening address by Ambassador David Zalkaliani, followed by congratulatory messages from Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Dereck Hogan and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper. Deputy Chief of Mission Khatuna Kveselava hosted the event.
The distinguished speakers highlighted Georgia’s unwavering struggle for freedom and emphasized the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between Georgia and the United States. The cultural segment featured an array of Georgian performances, including the national anthems of both Georgia and the United States, sung by the talented Nutsa Buzaladze. The Georgian folk song theatrical ensemble quartet and composer Keti Gabisiani also captivated the audience with their notable performances.
Additionally, the “Rooted in Culture” contemporary art project, curated by Keti Paichadze and Art Cross Foundation, showcased the exquisite artworks of prominent Georgian contemporary artists. To add to the cultural experience, a Georgian wine tasting corner was set up in collaboration with Wine of Georgia, Silk Road Wines, Georgian Wine House, Interbalt Wines, and Fine Spirits.
We were honored to have approximately 600 esteemed guests from various sectors, including representatives from the U.S. government, Congress, NGOs, think tanks, diaspora associations, diplomatic corps, defense, business, and media. We extend our sincere appreciation to all our partner organizations for their invaluable support.
We would like to thank all the individuals, organizations, and partners who contributed to the success of these celebrations. Your support and participation played a vital role in honoring Georgia’s Independence Day and strengthening the bonds between Georgia and the United States.