TBILISI. – Georgia celebrates its Independence Day on Saturday. It was on this day in 1918 that the Democratic Republic of Georgia was declared. 

And for the first time ever, the traditional military parade will be held in Georgia’s second largest city, Kutaisi, instead of the capital, Tbilisi.  

The festivities in Tbilisi commenced at the city’s main Rustaveli Avenue, where an “industrial exhibition” opened, Gruzia Online news agency of Georgia reports.    

Separately, the Georgian parliament’s celebratory session will be convened in Kutaisi at 5pm; this will be the first session in the parliament’s new hall, where the parliamentary activities will start in 2013.   

And a gala concert will kick off at Tbilisi’s Marjanishvili Square at 10pm.