Why the Georgian cultural scene is hoping for an opposition victory

Georgia will elect a new parliament on October 26. Closer alignment with Russia would threaten Georgia’s arts and culture scene, including many projects supported by a Swiss-Georgian network. When Alexandre Kordzaia, known as Kordz, leaves the stage after one of his concerts in Georgia, it has not been uncommon in recent weeks that a politician approaches him – even those from Georgia's pro-Russian ruling party. "Although it's clear that I'm part of the opposition," says Kordz. The Swiss-Georgian musician has been living and working in Georgia for many years. However, the country's gravitation towards Russia has left him wondering whether he should return to Switzerland. After a series of new authoritarian laws and major protests, Georgia now faces pivotal elections in which artists and musicians play an important role. The election campaign is being staged as a cultural battle between the western and traditional way of life, as the ruling party puts it. By all accounts, the ...