Interview with Khatia Buniatishvili

Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatishvili is one of the most brilliant performers of classical music. She began her career in Georgia, continued her life in Vienna and finally settled in France. Today, Khatia’s concerts are held successfully on leading stages of the world. Khatia is a winner of many important prizes, and she is an image ambassador of Georgia beyond her shores. Khatia just concluded her Asian tour. The renowned pianist talked to DIPLOMAT about her concerts, her career and future plans.

How did you find yourself in France?

I lived and studied in Vienna before I decided to move to a new life in France. It was not related to a specific plan, but I chose Paris as a new stage in my life. Before that, however, France had already been in my mind because I started learning French at an early age and, as you know, when learning a new language, a relationship with the country and its culture starts in our minds. The choice was caused by the love of this country and its culture, for the values that exist in the culture of the country, the historical part of the childhood that I have studied well from childhood and the attitude of respect and love, which transcends time with its values and culture still relevant.

The whole Georgian society was proud of you at the event dedicated to the Day of Bastille this summer, but you refused to participate in this concert last year, was it a difficult decision to make and what kind of feeling did you have when you received the same offer this year?

Last year, I did not hesitate to refuse, because there are certain principles for me that are irreplaceable. Of course, it was heartbreaking because I was very happy when I was offered to take part in this concert. However, I was very dissatisfied when I learnt about the conductor (meaning Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who in Tskhinvali was directing Russian troops and he worked for the Assad regime in Syria). It would have been a symbolic day for me and not for France alone, because I consider myself a citizen of Georgia, then a French and then a citizen of the world. I also consider that these are symbolic concerts that look at the history that could be bloody but eventually came to the stage when we respect human rights. Everything should be symbolic during this kind of concerts and a conductor that has some kind of propaganda towards aggressive politics, was unacceptable for me as human and as a Georgian. Therefore, I refused without hesitation. As for this year, I was glad that I was offered a second time. I was very proud of myself and it is also pleasant, because there you look into the eyes of a lot of people and such festive moments are especially memorable. This warmth and love I feel from France, I do not take it for granted, this is a great gift for me and I try to give it back as much as I am grateful for this country. I also have love for this country and I am grateful for the love I feel.

Georgia occupies a great place in your life and career, as a Georgian musician, you are the face of Georgia in Europe, and when you get invitations to all the important events of Georgia, you never refuse. You recently performed at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where Georgia was a Guest of Honor what importance does all of this hold for you?

I do not refuse when I can and when I think this is very important for the country. The Frankfurt Book Fair had a huge importance for the country, because it is a cultural destination and is geopolitical. Georgia was the center of attention of the world for all those people, as far as literature is concerned, and it was an amazing opportunity for Georgia to distinguish itself as a literary giant. Naturally, this was the stage for authors, but at the same time, it demonstrated Georgia’s historical perspective and the steps taken in the direction of civilization and culture. Such events can be much more useful than some diplomatic moves, so of course I thought I was unhindered at the opening and I was so happy that it was such a beautiful opening ceremony. In my opinion, very correct accents were made culturally.

As a world-renowned pianist who symbolically has two homelands, Georgia and France, what cultural interactions do you see between these two countries? And what similarities do you see between them?

Even while living in Georgia, I felt that there was particular interest in France and its culture. In my opinion, the love for France dwells among Georgians. France is certainly less aware of Georgia but in my opinion the interest and awareness is growing every day. As for the similarities between these countries, I would say Georgians are dreamy people, we have a fantasy, and we go far away. France is so great, has a big culture of debate and thinking. In fact, thinkers created the whole enlightenment culture on which French cultural and social development lies. In this regard, I think that these two nations are well blended and can understand each other well. Naturally, this is a very individual perspective, but I feel so much fierceness about France myself. I am always asked frequently if it is hard to find myself in France but I feel like an organic part of this culture and society with no problems in this regard. First, you should respect the language, and when you come, you should speak the language and feel the true authentic love for the country and the values that are firmly in the French character. If you do this, you will become deeply ingrained in the culture and the people would consider you as their own without attaching the attitudes shown to foreigners. This is the beauty and peculiarity of this country, because the people here are open to strangers who feel a certain love, knowledge and respect for their culture.

How do you see music and art as tools for diplomacy?

Of course, they are both important, but I still say that it can be used for both positive and negative interests, so I think it is of great importance to every person, including artists. Often the artists consider themselves as separate people living in a certain space and they do not have things common with the rest of the people, but I think this is wrong, because that for any liability they bear, a citizen or artist is responsible. If the dignity of humans and civil protection are the issues, the artists have a certain sense of responsibility for the situation in relation to other people and in this case, art cannot be produced in certain interests, because it will lead to some changes. In many cases, the art may also be found guilty when they take wrong steps in support of aggressive agendas. I am very careful and I try to continue on this path without losing my dignity.

You have twice received the Echo Classic Award, how do you value this achievement?

This is a very important prize in Germany and it is a pleasure to have been awarded twice. I would like to say that when an artist gets an award, it raises some interest in her country. I often say that I am a certain ambassador to the country, foreigners often say the same, because when there is an interest in a particular individual, people are interested in what culture she comes from. This eventually raises interest in the country.

Eventually, this would create a situation where people would want to come to this country to be acquainted with her culture, to search for news, and to constantly discover new people. I think that Georgia has the opportunity to be a country of interest, so any success I achieve is not going to move me forward alone but my country’s cultural part too.

How do you view a modern classics career today? It is interesting to draw your assessment, from the person who has had performances on leading stages, with leading orchestras, performances at Carnegie Hall and Champs Elysees, with great audiences while simultaneously developing a very interesting career, by recording an album with Coldplay in 2016.

These huge steps happened by of their own accord in my life, as they were somehow connected to the offers from other places. This is a big surprise for me, and I express interest always because I do not exhibit dogma, neither do I box my art. This is the space where there should be no boundaries. People have a fantasy and the only thing that can make them realize it is art, so I never bury myself during such opportunities. That’s why such steps were in my life and would definitely be because I love creations and news, not because it’s a guarantee of career advancement, but because it is just a creative process that makes me happy. It is interesting but it is not my major goal. In today’s situation it is difficult for a woman to have a career, to travel and to be independent. And it is also different, when you have backups or conductors from the system, in my case I set up a career without any dogmatic frames. I decided to build career that is independent, individual and completely dependent on me, so that I would make decisions and not the others on behalf of me. It is a difficult way, but it was the right choice, and it was solid, it depends on me and no one tells me what to do. Of course, there are a lot of enemies around who believe that defeating a particular person is easier than a group or a system. The main point remains the love of people that makes them feel what is authentic, what I do, and I have a real connection with my listeners. This gives me the required strength and I am happy that I managed to set my career out in this way.

Are you a favorite musician for all audiences, which is a rare in the case of classical music, how do you do it and what is the reason for this?

I would say that it is a merit for a listener to feel that way about me. When I am performing, I fully express my self before the public and allow them judge my performance from a personal perspective. That is the height of expression and the strength of any artist, though I am fully aware of the fact that it is a risk factor. The promoters who are working to create neutral pictures have made the reality of today’s classical music system banal. They have some interests and cannot take risks, because in case of risk they may win a jackpot or lose too much. Such calculations are unfortunate for most people in all respects. I am a person who does not think about the figures and reactions, it is probably the feeling of enthusiasm and love that is real and not the urge to just do more, this fills our heart with something. I have always had such an attitude towards people who I appreciate, for example, the film director or any colleague or anything that is related to talent and sincerity so much. It fills me with happiness and I cannot imagine any envy or jealousness toward talent. I think that true talent brings happiness and this is the main issue.

When you have the ability to deliver as much as possible you want to say thank you to that person for filling you, and you probably feel this genuine process of delivery and not the way that it is planned. There is an opportunity of touching and they feel that contact with me talking in the music language or at human level is real, I need it from people, and perhaps they get the same from me.

You recently completed the Asian Tour, how would you assess it and what would you say about your plans?

Well, in every country, the public has a very personal attitude and I have a special attitude towards them. I had a very interesting meeting in every country that I toured and I will always be happy to return there in another tour. The upcoming plans are related to concerts and new albums that will be packaged with my soul and heart poured into it. I do not like to speak in advance because it is not a planned News. Everything will be put in the album and around the concept and I will announce it in a few months with great pleasure.