If Paweł Herczyński thinks we Georgians are fascists and believes it is acceptable to publicly hurl profanities at Georgians involving their mothers, then he truly has not understood a thing – Shalva Papuashvili
The European Union was paying someone who insulted the majority of the Georgian population and was actively funding that individual; the public was awaiting answers to their questions. The media also addressed questions to the EU Ambassador. Paweł Herczyński remained silent; he did not deem the 1.2 million people—whose insulter he was funding—worthy of a response, nor did he deem the Georgian media worthy of one, yet he did respond via a post to the person who insulted the Georgian people. This statement was made by the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili. He added, "This also demonstrates where the EU Delegation stands regarding its values—deeming 1.2 million people unworthy of a response, yet immediately reacting to 'Kordza's' Instagram post with what amounted to apologies for the meeting's cancellation."
"Finally, the EU Ambassador has realized that endorsing hatred and violence is unacceptable in Georgia; it might be acceptable to him, but it is not to us. He ought to conduct himself in Georgia in a manner befitting Georgian culture and society—that was my hope. However, judging by the EU Delegation's statement, I believe he has failed to grasp anything at all. He has been in Georgia for so long, yet has no idea what Georgia and Georgian society actually represent. It is a mockery. Paweł Herczyński is telling us that cursing someone's mother is part of Georgia's cultural heritage. He is telling us that labeling people 'slaves' or engaging in fascism constitutes Georgia's cultural heritage. If Paweł Herczyński thinks we Georgians are fascists and that publicly cursing a person's mother is acceptable behavior here, then he truly hasn't understood a thing. If he considers mother-cursing to be a standard form of expression, then..." "We are led to conclude that cursing someone's mother is apparently a European standard," Papuashvili stated.
The Speaker of Parliament remarked that it is shameful that no one has heard Paweł Herczyński condemn the violence occurring in Georgia.
"On October 4–5, the Georgian President's residence was attacked, yet he did not utter a single word about it. Instead, he defends a person who curses the mothers of the majority of the Georgian population. This is truly shameful, and I wonder what other ambassador would stoop so low as to publicly label the act of cursing someone's mother as 'cultural heritage' and 'freedom of expression.' Surely, you can now see who is inciting hatred in Georgia. The EU Embassy's statement directly encourages hate speech, the cursing of mothers, the use of the slur 'slave,' fascism, and radicalism. This is what the EU Embassy is actively encouraging. It is truly shameful that they are driven by the narrow political goal of somehow bringing the 'Nats' [United National Movement] back to power, and are willing to sow malice throughout society and introduce radicalism. I am disappointed by this action taken by Paweł Herczyński." "With this behavior, he demonstrated to the Georgian people that, apparently, our culture consists of mother-cursing, calling people 'slaves,' and fascism. Is this what he gathered about Georgia—that our culture is defined by mother-cursing and calling people 'slaves'? And then he comes out with great fanfare, speaking in broken Georgian. Who needs his broken Georgian if he dares to treat the Georgian people this way?" Papuashvili stated.
As is known, the musician "Kordzi" had been invited to the "Kamara" festival. The ruling team had previously stated that the musician had insulted "Georgian Dream" voters—and the Georgian population at large—in the past.
Today, the EU Delegation to Georgia issued a statement expressing regret over the postponement of the "Kamara" festival.
"We regret that the organizers postponed the 'Kamara' festival—an EU-funded event held within the framework of the 'Creative Compass Georgia' project—due to security concerns. For 30 years, the European Union has supported the cultural sector in Georgia." "It helps the country preserve its unique cultural heritage, supports creative industries, and connects Georgian artists and organizations active in the cultural sector with their European counterparts. The European Union firmly believes in freedom of creative expression," reads the statement by the European Union Delegation to Georgia.