13.02.2025
Georgian artists calling for solidarity
We urgently call upon theatres, theatre schools and artists worldwide to stand in solidarity with the Georgian artists and cultural workers who have been courageously resisting growing oppression, police brutality, rigged elections and censorship in our country.
Georgian artists, who are defending our nation’s European path and resisting the influence of Putin’s regime, are being detained, beaten, harassed, and falsely accused. The violent repression faced by peaceful protesters has escalated dramatically: around 300 protesters have been beaten and tortured by the police, and over 500 have been detained in just the last month alone. Journalists, too, have come under attack while carrying out their vital work, further silencing the voices of those brave enough to stand up for truth.
The list of those artists suffering injustice continues to grow:
1. Andro Chichinadze (Actor)
2. Giorgi Nakashidze (Actor)
3. Mamuka Djorbenadze (Professor, Dean of
Batumi State Arts University)
4. Anri Kakabadze (Pianist)
5. Giorgi Bakhutashvili (Actor)
6. Vepkhia Kasradze (Actor)
7. Giorgi Chachanidze (Actor)
8. Sandro Samkharaadze (Actor)
9. Bacho Kajaia (Actor)
10. Guram Matskhonashvili (Director)
11. Tamar Chumashvili (Actor)
12. Ana Tkebuchava (Actress)
13. Natia Bunturi (Ballerina)
14. Nini Goksadze (Ballerina)
15. Tata Tavdishvili (Actress, Lecturer at the
Theatre University, Choreographer, Dancer)
16. Irakli Sirbilashvili (Actor)
17. Giorgi Liponava (Director)
18. Avto Diasamidze (Director)
19. Giorgi Makharadze (Actor)
20. Gigi Rekhviashvili (Actor)
21. Diana Nersesova (Actress, Producer)
22. Iorek Chitashvili (Actor)
23. Mariam Paichadze (Producer)
24. Davit Gvianidze (Student of Batumi Arts
University)
25. Guram Mikeladze (Student of Batumi Arts
University)
26. Giorgi Davitadze (Student of Batumi Arts
University)
27. Zviad Ratiani (Poet)
These individuals, our colleagues and comrades, have been subjected to violence, court cases, imprisonment, fines, and relentless harassment. This is not just a political crisis; it is an assault on the fundamental rights of artists everywhere to speak their truth, free from censorship and fear.
In a remarkable show of courage, the students of the Theatre University in Georgia have occupied the foyer for over 30 days, demanding new elections, the release of the unjustly detained, and the rector's resignation. Their actions have sparked a wave of solidarity, with students from 8 other universities joining the movement, occupying the foyers of their institutions.
We ask that you raise your voices, speak out, and take action in any way you can. The Georgian arts community is under attack, but by standing together across borders, we can amplify our fight for justice and the freedom to create. This is not just their struggle—it is a fight for the rights of all artists to challenge power and speak the truth.
We demand new elections and the immediate release of those unlawfully detained. The time to act is NOW.
With Love and Rage,
Data Tavadze
data.tavadze (a) yahoo.com