Dideba

Background

"Dideba" was written and composed by Kote Potskhverashvili [ka] and was adopted by the "Menshevik"-led Georgian government as the country's national anthem in 1918 after it became free from Russian rule. However, "Dideba" was only be used for a few years, until Georgia came under Soviet rule from 1922 onward.

Readoption

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, "Dideba" was readopted as the Georgian national anthem, though at the time of its re-adoption it was barely known by most Georgians^[2] as it had been almost seven decades since it was last used as the country's national anthem.

Replacement

"Dideba" was used as the Georgian national anthem from November 1990^[2] until 20 May 2004, when it was replaced by the current Georgian national anthem "Tavisupleba" following the 2003 Rose Revolution.^[4] Though the replacement of "Dideba" came after a change in government, efforts to replace the song reportedly predated said reforms.^[4]

Georgian original

English translation

Glory to the blessed one in heaven,

Glory to heaven on earth

To the radiant Iberia,

Glory to fraternity and unity,

Glory to liberty,

Glory to the eternal,

Brave Georgian nation!

Glory to our homeland,

Glory to our life

and brilliant purpose;

Hail, O joy and love,

Hail the helpfulness and happiness,

Greetings to the truth,

The light of dawn!