The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili awarded the winners of the competition "I Love Georgian-My State Language".

Students of the Georgian Language Training Program ("1 + 4 Program") of the Georgian State Universities wrote a dictation to the competition held within the week dedicated to the Georgian language. Smaller works of modern Georgian writers were selected for dictation.

The jury revealed the authors of 10 best works and awarded them with diplomas and memorable gifts.

"This is a creative way to emphasize the importance of the knowledge of State – Georgian - language in order to achieve success. Especially young people who shall take their first step. I'm sure it will be a prerequisite for their future success. I know, that lots of schools and students were involved in this competition. I think that participation is already a victory, because this is a sign that the knowledge of the State language is essential.

"40 years ago, the protest movement against the Soviet threat that threatened Georgian language started in the University. Students, professors, general public's appeal and unanimity protected the Georgian language from Soviet threat. Also, centuries ago our citizens - people of different ethnic and religious origins - fought in order to save it. Today it is our duty to protect the Georgian language, to develop it and create for all citizens an opportunity to study it fully", - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The event was also attended by the Minister of Education and Science Mikheil Chkhenkeli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to Georgia Giedirius Pozunauvičius, Director of the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia Giorgi Kekelidze, the Head of the State Language Department Giorgi Alibegashvili.

The cycle of events was organized by the Center for Civic Integration and Inter-Ethnic Relations (CCIIR).