Georgian Dream MP questions cultural figures' changed stance on performing in Russia

Georgian Dream MP Levan Machavariani has questioned why some Georgian cultural figures who previously travelled to Russia after the occupation of Georgian territory now refuse to perform there following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Machavariani was responding to comments by Nino Sukhishvili, who said she would never travel to Russia on behalf of the state Sukhishvili ensemble.

"Once travelling to Russia was not a problem after the occupation of our country's territories, but became unacceptable only after the events in Ukraine, a legitimate question arises: is this an assignment or simply following a trend?" Machavariani wrote.

He said it was regrettable that some representatives of the cultural sector had maintained what he described as a normal attitude towards Russia following Russia's attack on Georgia, but had changed their position only after the war in Ukraine.

Machavariani said he respected the Sukhishvili ensemble's artistic work and its contribution to Georgian culture and identity.

He added that, in his view, some cultural figures were acting on political instructions while others were simply following a trend, describing neither as a healthy approach.