The Gavrilov Night Protests in Tbilisi began on June 20, 2019, and were sparked by an incident involving
a Russian delegation visiting the Georgian parliament.
The occurrence took place at the Georgian parliament building during a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy. A Russian MP, Sergei Gavrilov, presided over the session from the Georgian parliament speaker's chair, which angered many Georgians who viewed it as a violation of their country's sovereignty.
Furthermore, Gavrilov was a supporter of Russia's occupation of Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which made his presence in the Georgian parliament even more controversial. The situation escalated when Gavrilov addressed the assembly in Russian, which many Georgian lawmakers and citizens found offensive.
The opposition lawmakers and members of the public began protesting and demanding that Gavrilov leave the parliament building immediately.
The situation turned violent when riot police were called in to disperse the protesters, and clashes broke out. The police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to control the crowd, and many people were injured. The protests continued for several days, with thousands of Georgians taking to the streets of Tbilisi to voice their anger and frustration. They called for the resignation of the Georgian parliament speaker, as well as for the Russian delegation to leave the country. The protests eventually resulted in the resignation of the Georgian parliament speaker, Irakli Kobakhidze, and the expulsion of the Russian delegation from Georgia.
The Gavrilov Night Protests was a significant moment in Georgia's political history, demonstrating the country's commitment to sovereignty and independence. The protests also showed that the Georgian people were willing to stand up for their rights and values.
About Artist
David Sarkisov is a Tbilisi-based Georgian photographer. In 2020, he was named a finalist in the Kolga Awards. His photographic art has been exhibited in several notable exhibitions, including the Eyeem Awards in 2018, the Agora Awards in 2016, and the Holoseum & Invisible Hand exhibition in 2023. David’s photos have been published in Hello Blog TBC and on the popular photography platform 500 PX.
“Photography is an art form that captures a moment in time, creating a visual representation of reality that protects freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The freedom of artistic expression in photography is an important concept that should be protected. While there are limitations to this freedom to protect the public's safety and privacy, there is still plenty of room for photographers to express their creativity and communicate their ideas. By respecting the rights of individuals and the public, photographers can continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in this powerful and important art form” - David Sarkisov.