Mikhail Shvydkoy, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation, visited Tbilisi on June 14–15, Russia’s state-owned news ageny TASS reported.
According to TASS, Shvydkoy attended screenings of filmed performances of “The Circus Princess” and “Reverse”, and spoke about the importance of culture in “restoring trust” between the two countries.
“I think culture is the sphere that can, step by step, without any forceful measures, restore the atmosphere of trust that existed between our countries. And peoples are always drawn to each other. We have very deep ties,” Shvydkoy said, as quoted by TASS.
Describing the screening as “extremely attractive” for curent contacts with the Georgian public, he added, “I think [the screening] will be of interest to our colleagues, because we want to present to Georgia, as far as possible, contemporary Russian art, contemporary Russian painting, cinema, and performances by artists. It is clear that we will do only what is comfortable for our Georgian partners, but as it seems to me, such cultural events have their meaning.”
He further added that Russia is open to Georgian artists, saying, “It should be said that there are many Georgian performers in Russia. Large Georgian ensembles regularly come on tour, and there are many outstanding musicians and performers who live and work in Russia.”
The visit marked Shvydkoy’s second trip to Georgia in recent months. He also reportedly attended the funeral of Georgia’s late Patriarch Ilia II on March 22.
It also came amid renewed scrutiny of Russian-linked cultural events in Georgia. In May, controversy erupted after the Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy reported that students of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) had performed Soviet wartime songs, including Katyusha, Dark Night [Темная ночь], and The Blue Kerchief [Синий платочек], at Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Theatre during an event marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.
Asked about the latest visit by the Russian official, Speaker of Georgia’s disputed Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili said he does not know “who was where,” but “anyone who wants to visit Georgia can do so if they have no issue with Georgian legislation.”
“As for Georgia–Russia relations, our position is very clear,” he added. “There will be cultural relations, economic relations, educational relations, there will be all kinds of relations once the de-occupation of Georgia takes place.”
Also Read:
