Georgian Parliament Speaker rejects calls to reinterpret May 9 commemorations

Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday released a statement marking Victory Day over fascism, emphasising the historical significance of May 9 and honouring the memory of Georgian soldiers who fought in World War II.

In a social media message, Papuashvili highlighted the major contribution made by Georgians during what he described as the world’s greatest war, stressing that hundreds of thousands of Georgians went to the battlefield, and nearly half never returned home.

He further emphasised that there was no family in Georgia that did not lose someone in this war.

“The Soviet past is our shared past. It cannot be changed. It was what it was - with both good and bad, sacrifice and joy, repression and the rise of national self-awareness”, he said.

“‘I take the pen in my hand and send you my warm greetings… May you live happily with your children and your grandchild, Margalit …’ - this letter, written by my great-grandfather from the front just a few weeks before May 9, turned out to be his last one. The entire tragedy of war is contained in this single sentence - love, hope and the calmness of a person standing in the face of death”, he continued.

Papuashvili added that the great patriotic war remained in the memory and had been reflected in art, literature and films that “bring to life the era, spirit and sacrifice of this terrible war”.

“This memory has become an inseparable part of our national identity”, he said.

Papuashvili further said the memory of the war became an inseparable part of Georgia’s national identity and criticised calls to reinterpret the country’s past or move Victory Day commemorations from May 9 to May 8.

“This is exactly what lies behind the calls for May 9 to be marked on May 8 that May 9 is ‘Russian’ and May 8 is ‘European’, that Georgia must perceive the world only in either ‘Russian’ or ‘European’ colors and choose one over the other”, he said.

Papuashvili stressed that such a choice is “false”, while attempts to alter historical memory and national identity are unacceptable.

“That is why May 9 will remain May 9. Because this day is ours - we fought, we shed blood, we fought on the victorious side of history and we are proud of who we were, where we stood and what we did”, the speaker stated.

He further paid tribute to all soldiers, heroes and war participants and wished veterans long life.

“May the memory of every soldier, every hero, every participant of the war and all our ancestors be eternal. Long life to all veterans and to everyone who remembers those terrible times. Happy May 9, the day of our victory!”, he concluded.