Art against oppression: solidarity with Georgia
Since the end of November, protests have been organised in Georgia in reaction to the government’s decision to delay its bid to join the European Union. The protestors have been met with violence and brutality by police and special forces, which have escalated over the past week.
Today, we share a letter of solidarity written as a collaborative effort involving various art collectives, groups, and individuals, which has already been signed by over 1500 artists from around the globe—including filmmakers, theatre practitioners, musicians, writers, academics, performers, and cultural workers across diverse fields.
“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.”