The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili awarded the winners of the competition "I write in Georgian" at the event dedicated to the Day of the Georgian Language.

The competition was announced several weeks ago by the initiative of the Office of the State Minister for the 9th graders of non-Georgian language schools and sectors. Its purpose was to promote the state language and to develop and encourage written competences in the state language for pupils of ethnic minorities.

Ketevan Tsikhelashvili congratulated the participants and said that this date is very important for Georgia. On this day 41 years ago, hundreds of Georgians took to the streets of Tbilisi in protest against the Soviet government's decision to remove words in the Georgian Constitution solidifying Georgian as the state language.

"For centuries Georgian language was the main pillar of our identity, culture, architecture, literature and of course it needs protection and development. For this purpose we held the contest "I write in Georgian", where the 9th grade pupils of non-Georgian language schools participated. These children have successfully passed the first stage. Today was the final stage and three winners were revealed.

"All of this, first of all, has a very large symbolic load. A knowledge of the Georgian language is the key to success for all citizens of Georgia. When we are talking about the engagement, equality and participation in all aspects of life in the country, knowledge of the state language is of course very important.

"I am glad that we are taking these steps and today young people know the state language than it was before. There are “1 + 4 educational program” that is intended for students and I am glad that there are many successful young people who speak their native languages ​​and at the same time know the state language", - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The competition was held in three stages. At the final stage the contestants wrote a fragment from the work of the writer Beka Kurkhuli. The commission created by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University has revealed three winners – Aitan Mekhtieva, Manushak Vartanyan, Anastasia Minasova. They were awarded with diplomas and gifts.

"I did not really expect victory. Everyone told me that I had to hope for it, but it was still unexpected. I am very glad. The text was not difficult for me. It was a very good context and in the future if I would be able to take part, I will do it with pleasure", - said Aitan Mekhtieva, the pupil of the first public school of the village of Vakhtangisi (Gardabani district).

The competition was held in collaboration with Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia.