First International Diaspora Theater Performance Held at Orbeliani Palace
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, August 1, 2024
The Orbeliani Palace recently hosted the first international diaspora theater performance, bringing together Georgian immigrants and young people displaced from the occupied territories. Organized by the Presidential Administration, the event aimed to unite these communities through cultural expression.
The President of Georgia opened the event, celebrating the participants' creativity and efforts. She praised the initiative by Mrs. Tika Svanidze-Venko, stating, "I am glad that you have gathered here and we all have the opportunity to see and appreciate your creativity." She emphasized the significance of the project in building bridges between young people in the diaspora and those displaced from the occupied territories, saying, "You find each other in all these things - theater, songs, and dances - in Georgian culture."
The President, who grew up in the diaspora herself, spoke on the importance of staying connected to one's cultural roots. She noted the growing number of Georgians living abroad, highlighting this as both a challenge and an opportunity. "This can become the wealth of the country, if we approach this problem and this situation well," she remarked. She suggested making it easier to obtain citizenship and creating more programs for young people to collaborate in various fields, adding, "If we grant citizenship very easily and much more easily than today, if we open the borders, there will be more programs and projects for young people to come and work with their peers."
Reflecting on the global presence of Georgians, the President mentioned, "When we look at the Olympic Games, we see that Georgians compete not only under the flag of Georgia, but also under the flags of other countries and win medals." She stressed the importance of supporting and utilizing the Georgian diaspora for the benefit of both Georgia and their host countries, noting, "As a small country, we may need this human resource more and we should take care of it."
Tika Svanidze-Venko, a Georgian businesswoman and philanthropist from the Netherlands, founded the first international theater "Return" in 2021. At the event, she spoke to the participants and guests, reinforcing the goal of building connections and fostering community among Georgians worldwide. She expressed her gratitude to everyone involved, stating, "This initiative is a big deal, so that between you - young people living in the diaspora and young people displaced from the occupied territories - bridges will be built again and you will have the opportunity to get to know each other."
