On the occasion of Hanukkah celebration the event was held in Tbilisi Great Synagogue which was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze, Chairman of the Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia Mikheil Batiashvili, the Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze and the Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze.

Hanukkah is a celebration of the Jewish renewal and blessing which is related to Maccabees’ cleansing of the Temple of Jerusalem and renewal of the church service. The celebration lasts for 8 days.

The Prime Minister of Georgia congratulated the parish and the guests gathered at the event on the celebration and symbolically lit the first candle of Hanukkah. Mamuka Bakhtadze emphasized the 26-century old friendship between the Georgian and Jewish nations: “This day is a symbol of victory for the Jewish people. On this day, when the Jewish people light up the candle, it is a symbol that there is a hope and everything can be overcome by unanimity. The brotherhood and friendship of the Georgian and Jewish people exists for 26 centuries. This is a completely unique event in the history of mankind. Georgian Jews were always an integral part of the Georgian state” – said Mamuka Bakhtadze.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the friendship between the Georgian and Jewish people will soon be recognized by the UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage Monument because this relationship and brotherhood is exemplary for all.