![]() In the villages, some people attended the Communist rallies, mostly out of curiosity. This was an open demonstration of the boycott. They half-heartedly listened to the oration of Pilipe Makharadze, while they met the national anthem “Dideba” – which the choir was allowed to sing – with an ovation, listened to it with their heads uncovered and demanding the choir to repeat it thrice. On the same date, the unveiling of the bust of Rustaveli was scheduled, but hardly 100 people turned up. In Tbilisi, Georgians did not come out at all. Only profiteers and bureaucrats, who were ordered to attend, came out. In cities – Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi – the Bolshevik May 26 turned into a farce, a staged event. Especially, since many feared the Bolshevik provocation and bloodshed. People did not accept these changes, they refused to participate. The Bolsheviks have tried to celebrate 26 May, as the day’s of Georgia’s liberation, but beforehand they have abolished Georgia’s flag and coat-of-arms, replacing them with the Russian red flag with the hammer and sickle. In case such were to happen, all militiamen and all communists were permitted to use their weapons. They have sent out circular letters (N374), which ordered to take the strictest possible measures against spontaneous demonstrations. The Bolsheviks have been preparing for this day. “Free Georgia” Journal (published in exile), 15 June 1921, N2
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