“
We met with Nino on the eve of Independence Day of Ukraine, she came to give several concerts these holidays. At home, the artists have been protests continue for almost 300 days in a row. Georgians go to the main avenue of Tbilisi, named after Shota Rustaveli, opposed to “anti -European laws”, census of democracy, censorship of media and political persecution.
After the Parliamentary Elections of 2024, the Georgian Dream actually clogged the European path of the country, pursues the opposition and independent media. And it is unlikely that the situation in Georgia may change in the near future.
Advertising:
Nino Katamadze is not a politician or an activist in the classical sense, but her art has long become part of Georgian resistance. She herself goes to protests, despite the fact that the authorities fine it for it and tries to make it silent.
Nino calls love with its main weapon, freedom and response to any challenges.
In this interview, she tells about the special connection of Georgia and Ukraine, why freedom is not only the right to fight, but also the right to be happy, and why her commandment for future generations sounds like this: “Love harder.”
Nino Katamadze is not a politician or an activist in the classical sense, but her art has long become part of Georgian resistance– The last time I was in Tbilisi a year ago, at the Democratic Forum, one month before the election. The atmosphere was tense, felt in the air. People said: if the Georgian Dream Wins, they will leave the country. Then there were no protests. How would you describe the city’s condition today when passed almost a year with time of parliamentary elections?
– I can say one phrase: this year, more than 5,500 children did not go to school. Because their families left. And this is only an official figure. And in recent years, more than half a million people have left the country. For little Georgia, it is a tremendous loss. This is a disaster.
And when it comes to mood … Almost 300 days the main avenue of Rustaveli is blocked by protesters. Every day people go there. Our Big Burchladze casses these days and writes about it on social networks. He reminds: here are 267, 280, 290 days as people stand on Rustavel.
It is a resistance against anti -European laws, against the threat of exclusion from the process of European integration. Almost all European and American programs have already been rolled up. Independent TV channels were closed, opposition voices were drowned.
And the worst thing: justice disappeared. Today we have more than 50 political prisoners. There are many young people among them. They have nothing to plant. Their “guilt” is only that they love their country and want to live in European values.
But we believe that quality content should be accessible to everyone, so we will not impose restrictions on the last. Support us so that we can continue to continue working without restrictions – join the UP club!
Learn more
– But is there any hope of people that something will change? Is the feeling of hopelessness stronger?
– Hope lives in specific stories. Do you know what incredible things make mothers of political prisoners? They go home, in the markets, stand near the subway, distribute newspapers that their sons write in prisons. They knock on each door. These are little stories of resistance, but they have a huge power.
The real driver of this process became the actors. They clearly know what they want. For many days, they stopped their work and went outside to declare themselves. It is not only a political gesture, but also evidence that their strong and lively voice sounds in the world. Their voice sounds at international film festivals and in classical music, it is part of the global cultural process.
– It’s like a dissident, do you agree?
– No. This is not a dissident. This is our right. The right to defend your voice and your values.
– Why do you think, “Georgian Dream” managed to resist so firmly in power?
– Because people were left without the future. The people have been bleeding. Over the 13 years, the intelligentsia left. The workers left. Those who remained were deprived of education, opportunities, work. They were left in poverty. Their voices are selling.
Look at the children. Every fourth child does not receive normal meals at school. They sit in the lessons hungry. We have terrible statistics. If you look at the whole picture is a disaster.
Nino: “In the same way, I know one thing: I’m staying where my heart is where my love sounds. And this voice cannot be silenced”– Are there no insults to Europe for protesters, due to a lack of reaction?
– No. How can you be offended? Europe sees what is happening. But they cannot solve our problems for us. They have their crises. We have ourselves. Europe only gives a chance. The question is whether we can use it.
– You have always been the voice of freedom in your country. What does freedom mean to you today when it has become much less in your homeland?
-You know, when you go on stage with music, with poetry, with a song-then you can say about your values. You are free there: in a word, in motion, in the choice of intonation. And your heart wants one – that the world becomes better than it is now.
But there is a moment when the scene changes. And the stage is not the theater and not the concert hall, but the Rustaveli avenue. And then you do not sing, but your voice sounds. And then you understand: you need to stay different. It is more difficult, it is more frightening, but at the same time it is much more important. Because life lasts, it does not know pauses and stops. Whatever this scene – on the street or prison – it still requires a voice.
Today, the most free among us are our political prisoners. Because they are not sold. No agreement, no insidious proposal – “confess the guilt, and you get …” – is not able to break them. Their voice cannot be bought. Their voice is stronger than any walls, stronger than any fear. And this voice is the most important thing we have.
Advertising:
– You have been canceled in Georgia since 2019 for various reasons. Is it hurt?
– Very. Even in my native Batumi, where I have always made a charity concert for my birthday, we have not been given a playground for two years. Earlier it was an opportunity to help those who could not ask for help. Today people are afraid. Of course, it hurts. This is my city. But I never felt alien. This is my country.
In the end, each of us has to look deeply at ourselves and ask: what I love, what do I really want? I always repeated to myself: I choose what I love. Because microwave can be bought in any country. But love is not.
Maybe I will have to leave, go with my son if he chose training somewhere far away. And yet I will never say that I left my country. Because even when I performed in Russia, I did not live anywhere but my land.
My country is my music, my friends, my artist you. If we moved, maybe twice as many cars, more comfort, more convenience. But we stayed where we learned to love. Because only there love has a real voice. And wherever I go, the Georgian word “love” sounds differently than any other language.
Now we have an opportunity, a chance and even a temptation to leave. Because my son is graduating from school, and maybe his path will lead somewhere into the world.
Nevertheless, I know one thing: I stay where my heart is where my love sounds. And this voice cannot be silenced.
Nino Katamadze while protests in Georgia– What do you feel when you sing in Ukraine?
– In Ukraine I love the most. Every second here is filled with huge content. People around – despite the war, despite the incredible trials – radiate love and power.
The music changes. Even songs about flowers and love sounds here differently. Yesterday they sounded in Tbilisi, and today in Kiev – and these are two different songs. Because everything lives always changes.
– The war changes people. What has changed over these three years in Ukrainians?
– Love has not changed. Gratitude has not changed. Ukrainians say, “Thank you for you.” But I only do what everyone should do. Be near. It’s natural.
Yes, fatigue is sometimes felt. But that’s normal. Even if it is – I love everything here: both tired and full of strength and young. The fact is that I am not one of those people who can dry emotions into words or formulas. I am of those who come here with my heart. Because my soul requires me here. And I’m here.
It’s not just my relationship. This is a special connection between Georgia and Ukraine. I’ve been touring for almost twenty years. During this time, I had so many incredible stories that remained in memory.
Here is one of them. In Zaporozhye I will never forget pumpkin donuts. Imagine my grandmother brought me a box of chocolates and homemade pumpkin donuts. It was so sincere and warm that I didn’t even know how to respond to it.
And I also remember my six wonderful months in Kiev when she was pregnant. I could not fly then, and I traveled all over Ukraine. It was here that I recorded a concert with an orchestra, an album with soloists from Ukraine. These were amazing times.
I have many such stories – light, warm, real. And they are all woven into this special connection that I feel with Ukraine.
Advertising:
– We meet on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day. I know that this is an important holiday for Georgians.
– Yes. Since the beginning of the war, I come every year on August 24. For Georgians, independence is also holy. But after the protests, everything has changed.
Today we see two completely different paintings. On the one hand, people who protest for the future, true, honest citizens. On the other hand, the party that usurped power: it stole voices, subjugated institutions, destroys meanings and values.
They declare ugly as the norm, unjust – as justice. And this happens even on Independence Day, when the very essence of this holiday is distorted and depreciated.
That is why we always say that we learn from you – because we know how important the Independence Day is. He unites us. And as important to us is the independence of our country. But today it is a real threat. And we have to talk about it aloud so that it is not taken away.
Nino Katamadze while protests in Georgia– Ukraine has also been talking about the risk of revenge on pro -Russian forces in Ukraine. Do you believe in it?
– I do not know… If the government, which is chosen by a completely transparent way, will act fairly if it allows professionals to work, invites foreign judges and start building a country together with Europeans and Americans – the country that is – then it will not be revealed. It is necessary to build, it is necessary to continue, it is necessary to create a new country for those children who are still born.
I do not think that my Ukraine will miss the lesson that goes now. I don’t even want to talk about another.
I believe that such resistance in the 21st century – such a holistic, so strong resistance to such a huge enemy – was nowhere. And it is absolutely fair and natural, it is self -defense. This is not a war, it is self -defense. And if someone succeeds … I do not even want to speak further, I will not accept this fact.
– Ukrainians and Georgians are called the closest peoples of the post -Soviet space. What unites us?
– Good heart. The first reaction is to hug. I traveled a lot. No one goes and does not ask, “Can you hug you?” Just hugging. It’s natural. And I’m the same. It is related to a free soul.
– If you could devote one song to our peoples, what would it be?
– Lullaby. Any. Because lullabies do not need translation. It is the purest and brightest singing.
“Ukrainians say,” Thank you what you’re here. “But I only do what everyone should do. To be near. It’s natural”– What would you leave the future generations of Ukrainians and Georgians?
– The call “Love stronger”.
– Is it about people? Is about the country too?
– About everything. When you love you are ready to protect. Ready to view their steps so as not to hurt. Love is energy that gives power to live and fight. It is a state of love, inspiration, “butterflies inside”. And it’s not just between two people. This feeling that raises above gives you the power to create and fight.
Advertising:
– When did you last fall in love?
– I fall in love with a second.
– Even now?
– Of course. My husband is a wonderful man. We fall in love with each other every 15 minutes. What else?
– You were still talking about a very important thing – that your generation had no true happiness experience.
– Yes. We have never had twenty years of happiness. We have not learned to be happy. We have songs about war, about pain, about feast. And where are the songs about lightness, happiness, love? They are gone. This is also a wound. And it is important to understand.
– So, freedom is the right to happiness?
– Yes. Freedom is not only to fight. It is to be able to rejoice, to love, to sing about beauty.
We also need to learn this.
Sevgil Musayeva, UP
”, – WRITE: pravda.com.ua
We met with Nino on the eve of Independence Day of Ukraine, she came to give several concerts these holidays. At home, the artists have been protests continue for almost 300 days in a row. Georgians go to the main avenue of Tbilisi, named after Shota Rustaveli, opposed to “anti -European laws”, census of democracy, censorship of media and political persecution.
After the Parliamentary Elections of 2024, the Georgian Dream actually clogged the European path of the country, pursues the opposition and independent media. And it is unlikely that the situation in Georgia may change in the near future.
Advertising:
Nino Katamadze is not a politician or an activist in the classical sense, but her art has long become part of Georgian resistance. She and she is going to protests, despite the fact that Yes, she is fined for it and tries to make it silent.
Nino calls love with its main weapon, freedom and response to any challenges.
In this interview, she tells about the special connection of Georgia and Ukraine, why freedom is not only the right to fight, but also the right to be happy, and why her commandment for future generations sounds like this: “Love harder.”
Nino Katamadze is not a politician or an activist in the classical sense, but her art has long become part of Georgian resistance– The last time I was in Tbilisi a year ago, at the Democratic Forum, one month before the election. The atmosphere was tense, felt in the air. People said: if the Georgian Dream Wins, they will leave the country. Then there were no protests. How would you describe the city’s condition today when passed almost a year with time of parliamentary elections?
– I can say one phrase: this year, more than 5,500 children did not go to school. Because their families left. And this is only an official figure. And in recent years, more than half a million people have left the country. For little Georgia, it is a tremendous loss. This is a disaster.
And when it comes to mood … Almost 300 days the main avenue of Rustaveli is blocked by protesters. Every day people go there. Our Big Burchladze casses these days and writes about it on social networks. He reminds: here are 267, 280, 290 days as people stand on Rustavel.
It is a resistance against anti -European laws, against the threat of exclusion from the process of European integration. Almost all European and American programs have already been rolled up. Independent TV channels were closed, opposition voices were drowned.
And the worst thing: justice disappeared. Today we have more than 50 political prisoners. There are many young people among them. They have nothing to plant. Their “guilt” is only that they love their country and want to live in European values.
But we believe that quality content should be accessible to everyone, so we will not impose restrictions on the last. Support us so that we can continue to continue working without restrictions – join the UP club!
Learn more
– But is there any hope of people that something will change? Is the feeling of hopelessness stronger?
– Hope lives in specific stories. Do you know what incredible things make mothers of political prisoners? They go home, in the markets, stand near the subway, distribute newspapers that their sons write in prisons. They knock on each door. These are little stories of resistance, but they have a huge power.
The real driver of this process became the actors. They clearly know what they want. For many days, they stopped their work and went outside to declare themselves. It is not only a political gesture, but also evidence that their strong and lively voice sounds in the world. Their voice sounds at international film festivals and in classical music, it is part of the global cultural process.
– It’s like a dissident, do you agree?
– No. This is not a dissident. This is our right. The right to defend your voice and your values.
– Why do you think, “Georgian Dream” managed to resist so firmly in power?
– Because people were left without the future. The people have been bleeding. Over the 13 years, the intelligentsia left. The workers left. Those who remained were deprived of education, opportunities, work. They were left in poverty. Their voices are selling.
Look at the children. Every fourth child does not receive normal meals at school. They sit in the lessons hungry. We have terrible statistics. If you look at the whole picture is a disaster.
Nino: “In the same way, I know one thing: I’m staying where my heart is where my love sounds. And this voice cannot be silenced”– Are there no insults to Europe for protesters, due to a lack of reaction?
– No. How can you be offended? Europe sees what is happening. But they cannot solve our problems for us. They have their crises. We have ourselves. Europe only gives a chance. The question is whether we can use it.
– You have always been the voice of freedom in your country. What does freedom mean to you today when it has become much less in your homeland?
-You know, when you go on stage with music, with poetry, with a song-then you can say about your values. You are free there: in a word, in motion, in the choice of intonation. And your heart wants one – that the world becomes better than it is now.
But there is a moment when the scene changes. And the stage is not the theater and not the concert hall, but the Rustaveli avenue. And then you do not sing, but your voice sounds. And then you understand: you need to stay different. It is more difficult, it is more frightening, but at the same time it is much more important. Because life lasts, it does not know pauses and stops. Whatever this scene – on the street or prison – it still requires a voice.
Today, the most free among us are our political prisoners. Because they are not sold. No agreement, no insidious proposal – “confess the guilt, and you get …” – is not able to break them. Their voice cannot be bought. Their voice is stronger than any walls, stronger than any fear. And this voice is the most important thing we have.
Advertising:
– You have been canceled in Georgia since 2019 for various reasons. Is it hurt?
– Very. Even in my native Batumi, where I have always made a charity concert for my birthday, we have not been given a playground for two years. Earlier it was an opportunity to help those who could not ask for help. Today people are afraid. Of course, it hurts. This is my city. But I never felt alien. This is my country.
In the end, each of us has to look deeply at ourselves and ask: what I love, what do I really want? I always repeated to myself: I choose what I love. Because microwave can be bought in any country. But love is not.
Maybe I will have to leave, go with my son if he chose training somewhere far away. And yet I will never say that I left my country. Because even when I performed in Russia, I did not live anywhere but my land.
My country is my music, my friends, my artists. If we moved, maybe twice as many cars, more comfort, more convenience. But we stayed where we learned to love. Because only there love has a real voice. And wherever I go, the Georgian word “love” sounds differently than any other language.
Now we have an opportunity, a chance and even a temptation to leave. Because my son is graduating from school, and maybe his path will lead somewhere into the world.
Nevertheless, I know one thing: I stay where my heart is where my love sounds. And this voice cannot be silenced.
Nino Katamadze while protests in Georgia– What do you feel when you sing in Ukraine?
– In Ukraine I love the most. Every second here is filled with huge content. People around – despite the war, despite the incredible trials – radiate love and power.
The music changes. Even songs about flowers and love sounds here differently. Yesterday they sounded in Tbilisi, and today in Kiev – and these are two different songs. Because everything lives always changes.
– The war changes people. That changes Loose in these three years in Ukrainians?
– Love has not changed. Gratitude has not changed. Ukrainians say, “Thank you for you.” But I only do what everyone should do. Be near. It’s natural.
Yes, fatigue is sometimes felt. But that’s normal. Even if it is – I love everything here: both tired and full of strength and young. The fact is that I am not one of those people who can dry emotions into words or formulas. I am of those who come here with my heart. Because my soul requires me here. And I’m here.
It’s not just my relationship. This is a special connection between Georgia and Ukraine. I’ve been touring for almost twenty years. During this time, I had so many incredible stories that remained in memory.
Here is one of them. In Zaporozhye I will never forget pumpkin donuts. Imagine my grandmother brought me a box of chocolates and homemade pumpkin donuts. It was so sincere and warm that I didn’t even know how to respond to it.
And I also remember my six wonderful months in Kiev when she was pregnant. I could not fly then, and I traveled all over Ukraine. It was here that I recorded a concert with an orchestra, an album with soloists from Ukraine. These were amazing times.
I have many such stories – light, warm, real. And they are all woven into this special connection that I feel with Ukraine.
Advertising:
– We meet on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day. I know that this is an important holiday for Georgians.
– Yes. Since the beginning of the war, I come every year on August 24. For Georgians, independence is also holy. But after the protests, everything has changed.
Today we see two completely different paintings. On the one hand, people who protest for the future, true, honest citizens. On the other hand, the party that usurped power: it stole voices, subjugated institutions, destroys meanings and values.
They declare ugly as the norm, unjust – as justice. And this happens even on Independence Day, when the very essence of this holiday is distorted and depreciated.
That is why we always say that we learn from you – because we know how important the Independence Day is. He unites us. And as important to us is the independence of our country. But today it is a real threat. And we have to talk about it aloud so that it is not taken away.
Nino Katamadze while protests in Georgia– Ukraine has also been talking about the risk of revenge on pro -Russian forces in Ukraine. Do you believe in it?
– I do not know… If the government, which is chosen by a completely transparent way, will act fairly if it allows professionals to work, invites foreign judges and start building a country together with Europeans and Americans – the country that is – then it will not be revealed. It is necessary to build, it is necessary to continue, it is necessary to create a new country for those children who are still born.
I do not think that my Ukraine will miss the lesson that goes now. I don’t even want to talk about another.
I believe that such resistance in the 21st century – such a holistic, so strong resistance to such a huge enemy – was nowhere. And it is absolutely fair and natural, it is self -defense. This is not a war, it is self -defense. And if someone succeeds … I do not even want to speak further, I will not accept this fact.
– Ukrainians and Georgians are called the closest peoples of the post -Soviet space. What unites us?
– Good heart. The first reaction is to hug. I traveled a lot. No one goes and does not ask, “Can you hug you?” Just hugging. It’s natural. And I’m the same. It is related to a free soul.
– If you could devote one song to our peoples, what would it be?
– Lullaby. Any. Because lullabies do not need translation. It is the purest and brightest singing.
“Ukrainians say,” Thank you what you’re here. “But I only do what everyone should do. To be near. It’s natural”– What would you leave the future generations of Ukrainians and Georgians?
– The call “Love stronger”.
– Is it about people? Is about the country too?
– About everything. When you love you are ready to protect. Ready to view their steps so as not to hurt. Love is energy that gives power to live and fight. It is a state of love, inspiration, “butterflies inside”. And it’s not just between two people. This feeling that raises above gives you the power to create and fight.
Advertising:
– When did you last fall in love?
– I fall in love with a second.
– Even now?
– Of course. My husband is a wonderful man. We fall in love with each other every 15 minutes. What else?
– You were still talking about a very important thing – that your generation had no true happiness experience.
– Yes. We have never had twenty years of happiness. We have not learned to be happy. We have songs about war, about pain, about feast. And where are the songs about lightness, happiness, love? They are gone. This is also a wound. And it is important to understand.
– So, freedom is the right to happiness?
– Yes. Freedom is not only to fight. It is to be able to rejoice, to love, to sing about beauty.
We also need to learn this.
Sevgil Musayeva, UP