Georgia’s Culture Ministry initiates disciplinary proceedings against museum head

Georgia’s Minister of Culture, Thea Tsulukiani, on Thursday announced disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against Lasha Bakradze, a member of the Unity – National Movement and the head of the Giorgi Leonidze State Museum of Literature.

In a statement released by the Public Broadcaster, Tsulukiani explained her office was reviewing Bakradze’s recent remarks, in which he called the faces of the ruling Georgian Dream party “worn” ahead of the October 26 general elections.

“I am unsure how much Mr. Lasha remembers, but we recall that he remains the head of the museum, an institution with great traditions. Therefore, we view his statement in light of his position within the state institution”,Tsulukiani said. She further noted that disciplinary proceedings began on Thursday and that once she reviewed the materials, the ministry would provide an assessment based on departmental standards, not political or social factors.

Bakradze’s comments, made on September 3 at an event in Vaso Godziashvili Park, included a reference to “worn faces” within the ruling party. He later clarified that his statement was not sexist, adding that he had “used the wrong word” and apologized if his remarks were misunderstood.