The premiere of the new play "COVID-19 or Restrictions in Georgian" was held at the Vazha-Pshavela Professional State Drama Theater in Telavi on July 30-31, attended by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli.

The performance was held in the open air, during which the recommendations of the Ministry of Health were fully taken into account.

The play was written by Nika Ramishvili, especially for the Telavi Theater. "COVID-19 or Restrictions in Georgian" tells the story of family under lockdown caused by COVID-19. 

After the performance, Mikheil Chkhenkeli personally congratulated the director and the entire cast of the Telavi Theater on their exceptional premiere, in conjunction with offering official gifts from the Ministry and wishing them future success and professional advancement.

"COVID-19 or Restrictions in Georgian" was staged with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia. It should be noted that this is the first play in the Georgian theatrical space, which deals with the theme of the pandemic.

Kakha Gogidze is the director and music director of the play; The scenography and costumes belong to the artist, Keti Nareklishvili; Assistant Director - Davit Natsvlishvili. Cast: Zura Lomidze, Eter Babilashvili, Giorgi Gelashvili, Nona Khumarashvili, Data Khunashvili, Mariam Maisuradze, Lekso Razmadze-Tsinkverashvili.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli together with the State Representative in Kakheti, Irakli Kadagishvili, also attended the match of the Premier League in Telavi. The match between "Telavi" and "Merani" Tbilisi ended in draw (0:0). This was the first match since the Covid-19 pandemic, when fans were allowed into the stadium, albeit with strictly written protocol and full compliance with the recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health.

The history of Telavi Vazha-Pshavela Professional State Drama Theater begins during the reign of Erekle II. The young students sent by King Erekle to study in Russia (Davit Batonishvili, Erasti Turkestanishvili, Ivane Orbeliani, Giorgi Avalishvili) decided to form a theatrical troupe after returning to their homeland. The theater was headed by Giorgi Avalishvili. The following famous actors of Georgia have performed at Telavi State Theater at various times: Gabriel Major, Davit Machabeli, Mako Saparova-Abashidze, Lado Meskhishvili, Davit Atskureli (Gamkrelidze), Vaso Abashidze, Nato Gabunia, Al. Kazbegi, Sergo Zakariadze, Kote Marjanishvili and others.