Georgian official accuses cultural figures of Russophobia

Irakli Kirtkhalia, leader of Georgia’s parliamentary majority, has accused several prominent cultural figures of promoting what he described as “Russophobia” and serving foreign interests.

Kirtkhalia pointed to a number of Georgian artists and cultural figures who, he said, performed or worked in Russia after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war but adopted a more openly anti-Russian stance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

He cited the Sukhishvili Georgian National Ballet, which performed in St. Petersburg in 2013, conductor Nikoloz Rachveli, who previously said political tensions would not prevent him from travelling to Russia, and opera singer Paata Burchuladze, who performed in Russia in 2012 and 2018.

Kirtkhalia argued that their positions changed significantly after 2022, accusing them of adopting increasingly anti-Russian rhetoric.

He also questioned whether their stance reflected broader political influence, suggesting that some cultural figures were following what he described as the same pattern as politicians and non-governmental organisation activists whom he accused of being aligned with foreign powers.

By Sabina Mammadli