Ambassador Tefft, Mayor Ugulava and Georgian Friends of America Club Remember 9/11 at Metechi Plateau
On Sept 11th, 2006, the Georgian Friends of America Club sponsored a ceremony in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks at Metekhi Church plateau. The event was held in addition to the U.S. Embassy's memorial ceremony earlier that afternoon and included representatives from Tbilisi's fire department, a photo collage and prayer trees symbolizing hope. U.S. Ambassador John Tefft, Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava, and Lasha Nickolaishvili, a Georgian exchange student who lost a friend in the New York City attacks on 9/11, gave remarks at the ceremony. Also in attendance were Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jamal Imnaishvili, and event organizer, Ilia Zukakishvili, Director of Georgian Friends of America. In his remarks, Ambassador Tefft brought attention to the fact that while the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were in America, they were essentially attacks on the world with victims from more than 90 countries. The ceremony concluded with traditional Georgian singing, the playing of the Georgian and American national anthems by the Tbilisi Jazz Orchestra, and a modern dance performance. |
