April 14, 1978 - landmark in Georgian history: PM honours defenders of Georgian language

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday commemorated April 14, 1978, as a pivotal date in the nation's history, highlighting the Georgian people's successful resistance against Soviet attempts to strip the Georgian language of its state status.

In a social media message, Kobakhidze emphasised the significance of the Georgian language as a symbol of the Georgian people's identity, spirituality, and unity.

He recalled the patriotic response of Georgian society to the Soviet authorities' intention to revoke the language's official status, which ultimately forced the Soviet Government to reverse its decision.

“April 14, 1978, is one of the most significant dates in our history. The Soviet Government's attempt to strip the Georgian language of its status as the state language was met with a patriotic response from Georgian society - one so powerful that it forced the Soviet authorities to reverse their decision”, the PM said.

“The Georgian language is a symbol of our identity, spirituality, and unity. Ilia Chavchavadze [renowned Georgian writer] taught us that language is a sacred thing and a public treasure that one must stand up for. It was precisely this heroic act of defending our mother tongue that not only preserved the Georgian as the state language but also became a turning point that gave the national movement its first powerful momentum”, he noted.

Kobakhidze also reaffirmed his Government's ongoing commitment to strengthening the role of the Georgian language within the global cultural landscape. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that all citizens have access to learning the language and that its status as the official language is continually reinforced.