On August 17, 2011, Robert Sturua, the artistic director of the Rustaveli Theatre, announced to the public that he had been dismissed from his position. The following day, around 100 people — mostly opposition politicians, including Nino Burjanadze, Giorgi Gachechiladze, Gia Tsagareishvili, and Goga Khaindrava — gathered in front of the theatre to protest his removal.

On August 22, the theatre’s acting troupe and creative team demanded Sturua’s reinstatement, describing his dismissal as political retribution by the government. Although only part of the troupe attended the protest, they said that most actors had signed a joint statement expressing solidarity.

The actors declared that for them, Robert Sturua remained the rightful artistic director of the Rustaveli Theatre. The statement was publicly read by actor Zaza Papuashvili.

Culture Minister Nikoloz Rurua explained that Sturua was dismissed for making xenophobic remarks. The controversy stemmed from an interview Sturua gave to Saqinform two months earlier, where he commented about the president’s Armenian ethnicity, saying, “What can we do? It’s not something hidden.”

On August 31, the Rustaveli Theatre troupe organized another protest in Sturua’s support. The theatrical march, which reportedly drew around 1,000 participants, blocked Rustaveli Avenue for several hours.

Despite the widespread protests, the actors’ demands were not met.