Director of Vaso Abashidze Theater dismissed amid Protests, sparking outcry from arts community

The Ministry of Culture of Georgia has dismissed Davit Doiashvili, the director of the Vaso Abashidze State Professional New Theatre, citing the theater’s failure to fulfill its founding objectives. The decision comes amid the institution’s visible involvement in recent pro-European and anti-government protests, drawing accusations of political retaliation.

In its official statement, the Ministry argued that the theater had a legal obligation to maintain consistent operations, especially given its state budget funding. According to the Ministry, repeated warnings were ignored by the theater’s leadership, which suspended regular activities to engage in protest-related initiatives.

Doiashvili and the theater company had gone on strike following the arrest of one of their actors, Andro Chichinadze, who was detained during a pro-EU protest on December 5. After issuing an ultimatum demanding his release by January 21, which was ignored, the theater launched a protest tour across Georgia, canceling planned productions to campaign for freedom of expression. During a public manifesto on January 23, Doiashvili declared that “Georgian culture is also imprisoned.”

The dismissal has sparked strong backlash from the cultural sector. Artists, civil society groups, and fellow theater professionals have denounced the move as a politically motivated attack on artistic freedom. In a public statement, the Royal District Theater expressed full solidarity with Doiashvili and his team, calling the Ministry’s action “an attack on creative freedom and a successful theatrical movement.” Supporters have gathered near the theater in protest.