Two weeks ago within the framework of the “Caucasus Reporters Network the well-known actor Vakhtang Kikabidze expressed his views regarding recent developments in Georgia. Immediately after the Georgian-Russian war he publicly returned the Peoples Friendship Medal that he had received from Russia in the spring and decided not to return to Moscow.

Hetq – In Armenia you are admired and the people consider you one of their actors. Do you believe that you are also loved in Russia? How have ethnic Georgians residing in Russia fared in the past two-three years?

The Russian media claims that these people are living well and that was the case at one time. Later on, they started to deport us and the persecutions began. Due to the influence of the West they are again letting Georgians alone and playing at democracy. Russia doesn’t want to spoil its relations with the West on this account. In any event, a majority of Georgians wish to leave. They do not feel all that free in Russia and are uncertain what tomorrow will bring.

Hetq – According to press reports, after the August events you gave back the Russian awards. How was this move on your part viewed by the noted Georgian singers, artists and sculptors still residing there? Don’t you want to return to Moscow?

Let me start by stating that I didn’t turn down the awards. I only returned the Peoples Friendship medal. I have received many Russian awards and I do not plan to refuse them. But they had awarded me the Peoples Friendship medal and afterwards Russian tanks entered Georgia. I haven’t been back to Russia since.

Hetq – Do you believe that the Russian-Georgian conflict can be considered an ethnic one? Does Russophobia exist in Georgia and is there a hatred of Georgians in Russia? Or is what we see the result of temporary disagreements and will not impact on relations between the two peoples.

Russophobia has never existed in Georgia and many Russian speakers still live here. Hatred of Georgians in Russia is fomented by the Russian political forces and has nothing to do with the people.

Hetq – What is it that caused you joy and sadness regarding life in Georgia today? What do you consider to be eternal values?

What I haven’t found pleasant is the level of tension existing in Georgia for the past 15-16 years and for which Russian politics shares a degree of guilt. What does not please me is the fact that we are forced to be constantly concerned for or children and grandchildren. The political state of affairs does not make me happy. Any given small nation must be respected just the same as any large and powerful country. Its right to self-determination must be respected and thus its political policies.

Ninotzminda Community Radio (NCR) – Has it been difficult for you to call off the planned tour to Russia?

I believe that I acted correctly since I consider myself a citizen of a country called Georgia and that I must act in a way fitting a Georgian citizen. I frequently give concerts in Russian cities and have been filmed many times. Today, I don’t want to get on my hands and knees. Had I done this they would have accepted me with open arms and embraced me as if nothing had happened. Everything would have been fine. But that’s not what I want to do.

NCR – How did the Russian public view your refusal of the Friendship Medal? What are your plans about residing in Moscow?

You can read all about it on the internet. There’s a ton of negative stuff written about me there. Like how I betrayed Russia. How I turned me back on the people who fed me there and showed ingratitude. I haven’t left to give concerts in Russia since I go only when I want to. I haven’t been back since the events. A few days ago a very interesting Russian film director, Aleksey Ouchitel, called me up and wanted to put me in a movie of his. The film’s subject matter is quite interesting too. It takes place at the end of 1945. Now I’m undecided whether I should go or not. Recently I toured the Ukraine, Lithuania and Kazakhstan. A celebration concert on the occasion of my 70th birthday will take place in Tbilisi on December 12-14. Most notable is that a monument dedicated to the film “Mimino” will soon be placed in the Havlabar neighbourhood of Tbilisi in which I Frunzik Mkrtchyan, Yevgeny Leonov and the film’s director, Georgy Danielyan, had roles.

Armenia News Agency (ANA) – What’s your evaluation of Armenian-Georgian cultural relations?

I am just as familiar with Armenia as I am with Georgia. Thus, it’s hard for me to imagine that poor relations could exist between us despite the fact that Russian politicians are doing everything to spoil those relations. Recently, the president of your country visited Georgia. Our two presidents signed a series of agreements regarding several issues, particularly concerning Armenian cargo transported via Georgian territory. Much is being done in this direction. I see all this and know that our brotherly peoples will reach that objective.

ANA – What’s your view on the state of the Armenian cultural legacy in Georgia? Can the problems that have arisen in this area impact on the relations between the two ‘brother’ peoples?

I am aware about much regarding this issue and realize that the civilized world must acknowledge history as it is. I don’t wish to insult anyone but Georgian cultural monuments are also scattered throughout the world. This is a very sensitive issue that mustn’t be senselessly politicized. This is what I believe.