Concert of Mariinsky Theatre soloist sharpens political contradictions in Abkhazia

On January 24, opera singer Giorgi Todua, a soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre, gave a concert in his hometown of Gali. The singer made no political statements during the concert. Meanwhile, in his interview published two days after the performance, he says he does not recognize the independence of Abkhazia.

The interview of Giorgi Todua has caused a great resonance in Abkhazia and provoked requests for the resignation of the concert organizers.

The Gali District authorities had to respond to accusations of betrayal.

Temur Nadaraya, the head of the Gali District administration, said that the authorities did not discern anything reprehensible in the intention of "the Russian citizen and the soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre to give a concert in his hometown," and the singer did not impose any conditions on them.

Temur Nadaraya has concluded that from now, the entrance to Abkhazia for Giorgi Todua is closed.

Being indignant about the concert in Gali, the Abkhazian opposition has again voiced its demand for the resignation of North-Ossetian President Raul Khadjimba. The "Amtsakhara" Party has stated that the Temur Nadaraya's explanations in connection with the concert sound "helpless and stupid," and the authorities of the republic as a whole "had completely discredited themselves in the eyes of the Abkhazian society."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.