Parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia has accused some representatives of Georgia’s cultural sector of double standards and inconsistent shifts in their positions in a social media post.
He claims that following the August 2008 war, several well-known public figures continued working and performing concerts in Russia. He cites the Sukhishvili Georgian National Ballet, conductor Nikoloz Rachveli and opera singer Paata Burchuladze as examples.
Kirtskhalia’s post responds to an analysis published by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze a week earlier.
“Everyone knows that Sukhishvili held a grand concert in St. Petersburg in early April 2013, when less than five years had passed since the August war, but today the ensemble refuses to hold concerts in Russia,” said MP Irakli Kirtskhalia.
“After the August war, the symphony orchestra held two concerts at the Shostakovich St. Petersburg Philharmonia and performed under the direction of Nikoloz Rachveli. As he later said on one of the programs, politics is not a reason for him not to go to Russia; for him, the reason is self-respect. Apparently, self-respect did not bother him after the August war, but after the war in Ukraine began, unless he takes a clearly anti-Russian position, he will feel burning shame.
“I cannot overlook Paata Burchuladze, who has recently distinguished himself through his consistently anti-Russian positions in his pursuit of a European future. In addition to earning a reputation as a ‘Russian bass,’ he sang in Russia in 2012 after the 2008 war, and then again in 2018, this time in Putin’s presence.
“The list could go on, but the specific facts presented in just these three cases confirm a pattern of behavior: how a number of so-called cultural figures did not refuse to maintain relations with Russia, work there or participate in Russian projects after the August 2008 war, while they never criticized the United National Movement for decisions that facilitated Russian interests.
“At the same time, they share another important characteristic – after 2022, that is, after Russia’s second invasion of Ukraine, their patriotic feelings awakened. They stand out for their anti-Russian rhetoric, ‘fight with their swords drawn’ against their northern neighbor, which has effectively reached Russophobia.
“Everyone agrees that prominent figures from various fields, including culture, have significant influence, and that their behavior and calls directly affect the formation of society’s collective perception. At first glance, why do they behave so illogically, and is it a coincidence that certain representatives of the cultural sector act according to exactly the same pattern as politicians and ‘NGO activists’ who blindly obey foreign powers? If you wish, we can discuss this. Personally, I do not believe in such coincidences.”
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