Shalva Papuashvili: Paweł Herczyński is ‘clueless’ about Georgia after claiming fascism and slurs form part of Georgia’s cultural heritage

“When it emerged that the European Union was paying and funding an individual who directs profane insults at the majority of Georgia’s population, the public expected answers; yet when journalists approached the EU Ambassador, Paweł Herczyński remained silent and did not consider 1.2 million citizens whom this individual abused worthy of a response, nor did he deem the Georgian media worthy of an answer, though he promptly responded with a post regarding the individual who insulted the Georgian people,” Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has said.

Papuashvili stated that “this demonstrates where the EU Delegation truly stands in terms of values, deeming 1.2 million citizens unworthy of a response, while practically apologising in reply to Kordzi’s Instagram post over the event’s cancellation.”

“At long last, the EU Ambassador realised that supporting hatred and violence is unacceptable in Georgia,” Papuashvili said. “It may be acceptable to him, but it is unacceptable to us, and while in Georgia, he must conduct himself in a manner fitting Georgian culture and Georgian society. I had hoped for this, yet judging by this statement, I believe he has understood nothing at all. He has been in Georgia for so many years and has no conception of what Georgia and Georgian society mean. This is sheer mockery. Claiming that this constitutes freedom of expression and preserves Georgian cultural heritage is absurd. Paweł Herczyński is telling us that directing vulgar obscenities at Georgia’s population is Georgian cultural heritage. He is telling us that being called a slave, or fascism, is Georgia’s cultural heritage. If Paweł Herczyński thinks Georgians are fascists and that publicly hurling swear words at Georgians is acceptable, then he truly understands nothing. If his standard of expression involves obscenity, we will take note that vulgar insult is apparently a European standard,” Papuashvili added.

The Speaker of Parliament emphasised that it is disgraceful that no one has heard Paweł Herczyński condemn violence in Georgia.

“On 4–5 October, when the Georgian Presidential Palace came under attack, he did not utter a single word; instead, he defends an individual who hurls vulgar insults at the majority of Georgia’s population,” Papuashvili stated. “This is truly disgraceful, and I do not know which ambassador could stoop lower than to label public obscenity as cultural heritage and freedom of expression. Surely everyone now sees who is inciting hatred in Georgia. The statement by the EU Embassy is a direct incitement to hate speech, obscenity, calling people slaves, fascism, and radicalism. The EU Embassy is engaged in encouraging this. It is truly shameful that they pursue a narrow political objective to somehow bring the United National Movement into power and are willing to sow malice across entire society and introduce radicalism. I am deeply disappointed by this action of Paweł Herczyński, who, through this behaviour, showed the Georgian people that our culture is allegedly obscenity, calling people slaves, and fascism. Is this what this man gathered from Georgia—that profanity and slurs are our culture? Then he emerges with great pomp, delivering statements in faltering Georgian. Who needs his broken Georgian if he treats the Georgian people with such contempt?” Papuashvili questioned.

Musician “Kordzi” had been invited to perform at the “Kamara” festival. Representatives of the ruling party previously noted that the musician had publicly insulted Georgian Dream supporters.

Earlier today, the EU Delegation to Georgia issued a statement expressing regret over the postponement of the “Kamara” festival.