Sitara Thalia Ambrosio

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Jádu Magazin: Fight for democracy - Pro-European protests in Georgia.

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Clients: Geo Magazin , Die Zeit , Brand eins, NZZ am Sonntag , WOZ die Wochenzeitung

Two young women sit on the step...reets in the capital.

Two young women sit on the steps of the parliament. Thousands of people have been demonstrating against the election results in the Georgian capital Tbilisi every day since the beginning of December. The demonstrators are calling for closer ties with the European Union. In the parliamentary elections in October, a large proportion of the inhabitants of the South Caucasus republic voted for the “Georgian Dream” party, which is seeking rapprochement with Russia. OSCE election observers speak of irregularities. Young people in particular are now taking to the streets in the capital.

Since the beginning of December...tinue their protests.

Since the beginning of December, thousands of people have been demonstrating daily against the election results in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. The demonstrators are demanding closer ties with the European Union. In the parliamentary elections in October, a large proportion of the inhabitants of the South Caucasus republic voted for the “Georgian Dream” party, which is seeking rapprochement with Russia. OSCE election observers speak of irregularities. Young people in particular are now taking to the streets in the capital. There are repeated clashes. Demonstrators shot fireworks at parliament and police forces. The police are using increasing force against the protests - and are not even stopping at journalists. On Wednesday, December 4, after around a week of protests, opposition politicians were arrested. The demonstrators say they are not impressed by this and want to continue their protests.

Activist Ana Sikhashvili (22) h...le with disabilities.

Activist Ana Sikhashvili (22) has been fighting for years for improvements for people with disabilities in her country. She herself turned blind as a child due to a virus. She is also taking part in the pro-European protests, partly because she believes that her country's accession to the EU could improve things for people with disabilities.

There are dozens of graffiti on...the Georgian capital.

There are dozens of graffiti on the streets of Tbilisi declaring their solidarity with the Ukranians. Since the beginning of December, thousands of people have been demonstrating daily against the election results in the Georgian capital.

A group of young demo... near the parliament.

A group of young demonstrators warm themselves at a fire they lit from wood and garbage, on the street near the parliament.

Aleksandre Keshelashvili (32) i...er 28 and December 3.

Aleksandre Keshelashvili (32) is a journalist for the local online portal Publika. Keshelashvili suffered a broken nose after being assaulted by police officers before being detained at a police station in Tbilisi. This is one of many cases in which journalists have been attacked while covering demonstrations for a closer cooperation with the European Union. CPJ reports that at least 50 journalists were injured between November 28 and December 3.

Tbilisi is the capital of the c...gest city in Georgia.

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. With a population of almost 1,300,000, it is also the largest city in Georgia.

In the city center of Tbilisi, ...ting again".

In the city center of Tbilisi, many restaurants and cafés have declared their solidarity with the protests. The cityscape is characterized by European flags. A group of young people are having dinner in a café, or as they say themselves: “We are strengthening ourselves before we go protesting again".

“I experience homophobia every day”, says Sani Morizstein (32 ). She was born in Tbilisi and is a trans woman. It was only in 2024 that the "Georgian Dream" party passed the so-called “family values” law. This allows the authorities to ban same-sex marriages, the adoption of children by LGBTQ people and medical gender reassignment surgery. Pride events and LGBTQ demonstrations can also be banned. Books and films depicting same-sex relationships can be censored and the display of the rainbow flag can be banned. Morizstein describes the law as “Russian law” - and she is not alone in her thoughts on this. Many LGBT* people have left the country since it came into force - and are seeking protection in countries where they are not exposed to state discrimination.

A cafe in the Georgia...movement and Ukraine.

A cafe in the Georgian capital Tbilisi shows solidarity with the LGBT* movement and Ukraine.

The club scene in Tbilisi is al...t of this subculture.

The club scene in Tbilisi is also organizing protests. Since the beginning, its operations have been on strike - and no events are taking place. Many people from the left-wing and queer movement are part of this subculture.

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Jádu Magazin: Fight for democracy - Pro-European protests in Georgia.

Copyright Sitara Thalia Ambrosio 2025

Updated Jan 2025

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Jádu Magazin: Fight for democracy - Pro-European protests in Georgia.

"This is the last chance, otherwise at some point, all left to do, is to leave our country"

For Jàdu Magazine.

Many people in Georgia are fighting for democracy, rapprochement with the EU and their individual future. Since the parliamentary elections in October 2024, thousands have taken to the streets in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. In some cases, there has been massive police violence against demonstrators and journalists. A new climax, but the pro-European movement itself is not new. Who are the people behind the protests and what helps them to continue? In Tiblisi I met with activist Ana Sikhashvili, journalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili and trans woman Sani Morizstein, to find out more.

With the support of the Ukrainian political analyst Hlib Fishchenko.

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Oct 20, 2022

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