1993 Georgian performance1999 Georgian performance
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"'s usage in this manner was to be short-lived. It would 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]
Praise be to heavenly Bestower of Blessings,
Praise be to paradise on earth,
To the radiant Iberia,
Praise be to fraternity and unity,
Praise be to liberty,
Praise be to the everlasting,
Lively Georgian people!
Praise be to our fatherland,
Praise be to the great
And bright aim of our lives;
Hail, O joy and love,
Hail the helpfulness and happiness,
Greetings to the truth,
The light of dawn!
Georgia
