Open Letter from Georgia
To the Organisers, Directors, Curators, Programmers, and Participants of International Film Festivals, Book Fairs, International Exhibition Spaces, Museums, Theatre, Music, and Other Arts Events
Dear Colleagues,
We are writing to you from Georgia, a country where democratic institutions, civil society, independent media, and artistic freedom are under growing pressure.
History teaches us that authoritarian regimes do not survive through violence alone. They also survive through normalisation. They rely not only on police, courts and propaganda, but also on the creation of a cultural landscape that persuades the outside world that everything is normal.
This is why nearly every authoritarian regime invests heavily in cultural events, festivals, exhibitions and international forums.
Visitors are not shown political prisoners, beaten protesters, persecuted journalists, dismissed public servants or repressed artists. Instead, they are shown historic cities, hospitality, exotic landmarks, cultural diversity, traditions and the façade of international cooperation.
The mere existence of cultural events or a country’s official presence on international cultural platforms should never be mistaken for evidence of freedom or democracy.
The purpose of this strategy is simple: to construct a parallel reality in which repression becomes invisible.
Today, Georgia finds itself facing precisely this danger.
In recent years, international organisations have increasingly raised concerns about the deterioration of human rights in Georgia, growing restrictions on freedom of expression and the shrinking of civic space. Laws have been adopted that restrict artistic freedom, independent media, civil society organisations, civic activism and international cooperation.
Political persecution, mass fines, criminal prosecutions and impunity for violence have become part of everyday life.
According to international human rights organizations, more than 150 people are currently imprisoned in Georgia as a result of politically motivated prosecutions and unfair judicial proceedings. Among them are the journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, poet Zviad Ratiani, world-renowned opera singer Paata Burchuladze, actor Andro Chichinadze as well as political leaders are imprisoned in Georgia. Many of them participated in peaceful demonstrations in defence of Georgia’s European future and democratic values.
Against this backdrop, festivals, conferences, and international cultural events continue to take place. Invitations are extended. State-funded cultural institutions continue to appear on international cultural platforms, projecting an image of normality while concealing the reality of persecuted artists and citizens. And the impression is created that cultural life is continuing as usual.
This is where personal responsibility begins.
Everyone invited to such an event has a choice: To accept. To decline. Or to ask questions.
And take an interest in the situation of the artists and citizens on whose behalf a cultural platform, institution, or event claims to speak.
Lack of awareness does not absolve us of responsibility.
Never before has it been easier to verify information.
Before agreeing to take part in such a project, partnership, or cultural event, ask yourself a few questions:
What is happening today in the country whose state cultural institution I am collaborating with?
Does this project, partnership, or event reflect the country’s actual political, social, and cultural reality or does it present only a carefully curated, politically sanitised image of the country?
Is there space for open and critical discussion? Is it possible to speak openly about the role of art, freedom of expression, censorship, political repression and the state of democracy?
Are independent artists and journalists included, are there any critical voices or are only views acceptable to the authorities being represented?
Could my participation, even if well-intentioned, serve to legitimise an authoritarian regime or reinforce the illusion of “normality” that it seeks to project?
Whose voices does this collaboration amplify: those of the independent cultural community, or those of state-controlled institutions?
We urge you to ask questions. Do not be satisfied with the reality that those in power choose to present.
Because the purpose of art is not to legitimise power.
Art exists to make truth visible, not to conceal it.
And when art begins to conceal reality, it ceases to be art and becomes propaganda.
This is why we are addressing you, the recipients of this letter.
Please do not become part of the normalisation and propaganda that conceal repression. Do not allow your name, your reputation, or your professional standing to be used in the service of hiding reality.
If a cultural event, project, or partnership systematically remains silent about repression, conceals injustice, and creates the illusion that everything is well, it contributes, whether intentionally or not, to the normalisation of oppression.
And history has never looked kindly on such complicity.
On behalf of independent Georgian artists.
Tbilisi, Georgia
21 July, 2026
This letter is endorsed by the following independent organisations and unions in Georgia:
GFI - Georgian Film Institute
DOCA - Documentary Association Georgia
GCA - Georgian Cinematographers Association
PEN Georgia
Georgian Book Association
Tbilisi International Film Festival
Kutaisi International Short Film Festival
Culture for Democracy
Public Assembly Cultural Heritage Working Group
Kolga Tbilisi Photo
Photo Festival Tbilisi
Projection 24