President Calls on Writers to “Awakening”

On May 23rd President Mikheil Saakashvili responded to the statement of writer Zaza Burchuladze. On May 21st in Kutaisi Opera Theater, at the presentation of anthology of Georgian prose Burchuladze addressed the audience in a following way: “Glory to thieves-in-law, death to bitches!”

Mikheil Saakashvili called on the writers to “awakening.”

Mikheil Saakashvili: “Yesterday I had a glance on the event held in Kutaisi new opera house. To say honestly, I was insulted by the statement made by some representatives of literature circle. It seems like some people are so preoccupied with enjoying themselves, that they cannot see the changes made in the country, practically they are stuck in the old times. They have not noticed that Kutaisi and Georgia in whole has changed and nobody will let them to overlook, make fun of or tarnish the dignity of people and talk with the perceptions and stereotypes of the old epoch. They could have gone out and seen the new center of Kutaisi, closely examine the new building and look into the eyes of Kutaisians. It is not right to talk to Kutaisians like that and it is not right to talk to anybody like that in general. It is time these people awaken and understand that the old times have passed, that mentality is over and they should stop being stuck in the time and look forward.”

After hearing Zaza Burchuladze’s comment, big part of the audience left the hall. They stated that they feel insulted and this statement is insult for the whole city.

See the video-version of President Saakashvili’s comment on the following link: http://www.palitratv.ge/akhali-ambebi/sazogadoeba/2747-mikheil-saakashvili-zaza-burtculadzis-ganckhadebas-gamoekhmaura.html