Freedom Square, Tbilisi

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Freedom Square (Georgian: "თავისუფლების მოედანი", Tavisuplebis moedani, pronounced [tavɪsʊplɛbɪs mɔɛdanɪ]), formerly known as Erivan Square (Georgian: "ერევანსკი მოედანი", Erivansky moedani, Russian: Эриванская площадь, Erivanskaya ploshchad) under Imperial Russia and Lenin Square during the Soviet times, - is located in the center of Tbilisi at the eastern end of Rustavelis Gamziri. Tbilisi City Hall is situated on the Square. Other important venues include Bank of Georgia central branch, and Marriott International branch. The square will also accommodate Old Tbilisi local government office, the building works of which are already started. Freedom Square has been the site of various mass demonstrations including those for Georgia's independence (from the Soviet Union), the Rose Revolution, and others. In 2005 Freedom Square was the location where U.S. President George W. Bush and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili addressed a crowd of around 100,000 people in celebration of the 60th anniversary marking the end of World War II. On November 23, 2006, the Liberty Monument depicting St George slaying the dragon, created by Zurab Tsereteli, was unveiled in the square.

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