In Georgia, theatre staff refuses to accept dismissal of stage director Sturua

The company of the Rustaveli Theatre said that they still consider Robert Sturua, who was dismissed from his post of artistic director by the Minister of Culture of Georgia, to be their stage director. The statement on behalf of the company was announced on August 22 by actor Zaza Papuashvili in front of the theatre building.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the dismissal of Robert Sturua from his post of the stage director of the Shota Rustaveli State Drama Theatre became known on August 16. The director was dismissed by the order of the Minister of Culture Nikoloz Rurua, who explained his decision by the fact that the stage director admitted xenophobic statements.

"Is it so difficult to understand what is happening today in Georgia, in our country? Robert Sturua is no longer the artistic director of the theatre – he was fired. Don't we need Sturua's brilliant performances any longer? Are they out of date? Do we reject these values? No, gentlemen, for us Robert Sturua is still the artistic director," the creative company has stated.

According to Papuashvili, the statement was signed by the whole company – about 70 persons, the "Interfax" reports.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Culture is ready to assist to any cooperation of director Robert Sturua with Russian theatres, said Sofia Apfelbaum, the head of the division of theatrical arts of the Ministry of Culture, the RIA "Novosti" reports.