The Tbilisi-based bookstore Auditoria has decided to cancel scheduled public appearances by Russian paleoanthropologist Stanislav Drobyshevsky. The move comes following remarks made by the science communicator regarding the history of Tbilisi and Georgia. Drobyshevsky had claimed that Georgia was built during the Soviet era, prior to which the country supposedly consisted merely of “stone shacks with sheep.”
A statement issued by Auditoria noted that the venue’s management disagrees with Drobyshevsky and regards his comments as reflecting a superficial and disrespectful attitude toward the country’s history and culture. The statement also pointed out that, in an effort to clarify his position, Drobyshevsky had been invited to give an interview to Russian-language media operating in Georgia.
“We offered Stanislav’s representative the opportunity to arrange an interview with one of Georgia’s Russian-language media outlets, giving him a chance to comment on his remarks, which were unrelated to the subject matter of the scheduled scientific lectures. We hoped this would help clarify his position and separate it from the academic component of the events. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to organize this interview,” said the statement from Auditoria, which, according to its founders, was created as a space for education, critical thinking, and open dialogue.
“We do not intend to elevate scientists and public intellectuals to unquestioned authorities, and we believe it is vital to maintain a critical perspective even toward those with whom we seek to collaborate. We oppose harassment of any kind and reject attempts to devalue an individual’s professional achievements because of their public remarks. The cancellation of the scheduled talks is not a call to boycott Stanislav Drobyshevsky, nor is it a demand for other organizers to take similar steps. This is our independent decision, guided by respect for the country where we live and work, as well as our responsibility to our audience,” Auditoria wrote on its Facebook page.