Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili marked the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany with a powerful message on social media, reaffirming the enduring significance of May 9 for Georgia and honoring the nation’s profound sacrifices during World War II.

“Eighty years ago, we stood against Nazism in Kerch and Berlin, at Marukhi Pass and in the Kodori Valley—confronting an ideology built on the annihilation of entire nations. Had we not fought, the ruthless march of Nazism would have erased our own history. That is why this was our Patriotic War,” Papuashvili wrote.

He shared a personal story: a letter from his great-grandfather, written from the front on February 18, 1945—his final words to the family. The message serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.

Georgia suffered the highest proportional loss of life among Soviet republics—300,000 Georgians perished. “There is hardly a family in Georgia whose ancestor did not fight fascism. Today, some of those veterans are still among us,” he noted.

Papuashvili warned against modern efforts to distort history: “We see attempts to diminish the significance of Victory Day and Georgia’s role in it. Arguments over whether the date is May 8 or May 9, what the day should be called, or whether Stalin can be mentioned are not about seeking truth—they’re about rewriting the past.”

He criticized such efforts as part of a broader agenda to erode national identity and impose “a pseudo-European, artificially constructed ideology” influenced from abroad.

“May 9 is and will remain the day of that great victory to which Georgia contributed with honour. Our sacrifices will not be forgotten. Our history will not be rewritten.”

He concluded with a call to pride and resilience: “We Georgians are a proud, ancient, and enduring people. No one will make us ashamed of our past. We are the descendants of those who endured every hardship with dignity. We have always fought for Georgia, and we always will.”

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations on May 9, our Victory Day!” Papuashvili wrote.