Since late November 2024, protests have erupted across Georgia in response to the government’s decision to postpone its bid for European Union membership. Demonstrators have faced increasing violence and force from police and special units, with tensions escalating significantly over the past week.
In response to the situation, a collective letter of solidarity has been released, a joint effort by numerous art collectives, organisations, and individuals. The letter has already gathered over 1,500 signatures from artists and cultural workers worldwide, including curators, museum professionals, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, musicians, writers, and more.
The letter of solidarity reads:
‘We, the artists, curators, and cultural workers from across the globe, stand in solidarity with the people of Georgia and their artists fighting for the liberation from Russian imperialist politics.
The resistance of the People of Georgia against Russian imperialism remains insufficiently recognized. This statement seeks to draw attention to the persistent oppression faced by the people of Georgia and their enduring fight against totalitarian regimes.
Right now, Artists, Activists, and Cultural Workers in Georgia are at the forefront of the uprising movement against an oppressive and brutal regime.
In recent years, they have been the targets of political repression. They’ve been ousted from key cultural spaces like museums, film centers, writers’ houses, and academic institutions. Alongside other protesters, they now face police violence, arrests, and harsh beatings.
The new “anti-LGBT propaganda law” has brought back censorship, criminalizing queer bodies, queer art, and queer culture in Georgia. This puts the queer community in danger, and we stand firmly with them.
We are moved by the courage and resilience of the people of Georgia in their fight against autocracy and totalitarian violence. Their resistance and determination inspire us, and we stand with them in their struggle for freedom and justice.’
