--- title: "\"I sincerely apologize\": Mikhail Galustyan officially apologizes to the Tajik people following the backlash over his visit to Dushanbe" description: "Russian actor Mikhail Galustyan has issued an official apology to the Tajik people following criticism over his visit to Dushanbe and past stage roles from the show \"Our Russia\"." date: 2026-10-18T07:06:15.418Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/mikhail-galustyan-apologizes-tajik-people tags: [mikhail-galustyan, tajikistan, dushanbe, nasha-russia, public-apology] author: "Darya Fomina" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "I sincerely apologize": Mikhail Galustyan officially apologizes to the Tajik people following the backlash over his visit to Dushanbe ![Mikhail Galustyan in a leather jacket and glasses against the backdrop of modern Dushanbe architecture with a river and skyscrapers](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/18/mikhail-galustyan-poprosil-proshcheniya-u-tadzhikskogo-naroda/mikhail-galustyan-poprosil-proshcheniya-u-tadzhikskogo-naroda-1.webp) ## Key Points - Mikhail Galustyan officially asked for forgiveness from the Tajik people following the backlash over his visit to Dushanbe on September 30. - The criticism was triggered by the stage characters Ravshan and Dzhumshut from the show "Our Russia", which some audience members found offensive to Tajiks. - The artist's video message was first published by Oleg Samsonov, head of TAS International Group; the visit was tied to the presentation of the "Dushanbe International District" project worth about $1.5 billion featuring a 77-story tower up to 340 meters high. - The apologies softened the tone of social media discussions and were positively received by many fans. Russian actor and comedian Mikhail Galustyan has officially asked for forgiveness from the Tajik people following a visit to Dushanbe that sparked fierce discussion on social media. On September 30, the artist arrived in the capital of Tajikistan as an honored guest for a closed-door event, but his arrival provoked heated controversy in the local internet segment. Amid mounting criticism, Galustyan recorded a video message in which he openly expressed his feelings, acknowledged potential mistakes, and offered an apology. According to available reports, the recording was first published on the account of Oleg Samsonov, head of TAS International Group. ### The Reason for the Backlash: A Visit Within a Development Project As follows from available information, Galustyan's trip to Dushanbe was linked to a business event: TAS International Group invited the artist to the official presentation of the large-scale modern development project "Dushanbe International District." According to data cited in the background of the material, the project is estimated at approximately $1.5 billion and includes the construction of a 77-story tower up to 340 meters high. It was the public appearance of the famous Russian showman at such an event that triggered the discussion in Tajik social media. ### The Dispute Over "Our Russia" Persona The central point of criticism became the once-popular stage personas from the comedy show "Our Russia"—primarily the characters Ravshan and Dzhumshut. Online activists and critics emphasized that these portrayals infringed upon the dignity of labor migrants and fostered negative perceptions of Tajiks. For a significant portion of the audience, these roles, created many years ago, became the main reason why the actor's arrival in the country was met with mixed reactions. ### A Divided Public Public reaction to Galustyan's visit turned out to be mixed. While one faction of users strongly opposed the actor's visit, citing past satirical characters, others urged forgiving past jokes and moving toward a constructive dialogue. This polarization of opinions essentially defined the context in which the artist had to publicly respond to the criticism. ### Official Apologies and Acknowledgment of Mistakes In his address, Galustyan expressed sincere regret if his former stage personas offended anyone or hurt anyone's honor, and asked for forgiveness from the entire Tajik people. The artist noted that he visited Dushanbe for the first time and emphasized that the city's beauty, architecture, and the sincere hospitality of the locals left him with very warm impressions. In his appeal, he also thanked them for the warm welcome and stated that the trip allowed him to get closer to the rich history and culture of Tajikistan, mentioning prominent historical figures and thinkers whose works have become part of world civilization. ### Reaction and Conclusions According to available data, Galustyan's sincere apologies and acknowledgment softened the tone of discussions on social media and were positively received by many fans. Thus, the artist's public appeal, recorded after the resonance surrounding his visit to Dushanbe, became the main outcome of the entire discussion: it allowed shifting the conversation from mutual recriminations to a dialogue and recognition of the feelings of the Tajik audience. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Михаил Галустян после визита в Душанбе попросил прощения у таджикского народа – Zamin.uz, 18.10.2026](https://zamin.uz/ru/mir/224825-mikhail-galustyan-posle-vizita-v-dushanbe-poprosil-proshcheniya-u-tadzhikskogo-naroda.html) - Primary source; contains the basis of the article: visit date September 30, characters Ravshan and Dzhumshut, divided public, apologies, "Dushanbe International District" project ($1.5 billion, 77 floors, up to 340 m), publication of the appeal by Oleg Samsonov. - [Михаил Галустян попросил прощения у жителей Таджикистана после общественного резонанса](https://avesta.tj/2026/10/14/mihail-galustyan-poprosil-proshheniya-u-zhitelej-tadzhikistana-posle-obshhestvennogo-rezonansa/) - Confirms the fact of the apology video amid criticism following a recent visit to Dushanbe. - [Михаил Галустян попросил прощения у таджикского народа за роли в «Нашей Russia»](https://newtimes.kz/mir/224813-mikhail-galustian-poprosil-proshcheniia-u-tadzhikskogo-naroda-za-roli-v-nashei-russia) - Confirms the apologies, first visit to Dushanbe, publication of the video by Oleg Samsonov on Instagram; quotes mentions of Cyrus the Great, Ismail Samani, Rudaki, Ferdowsi, Omar Khayyam, Avicenna. - [«Искренне сожалею»: Галустян извинился перед таджикистанцами за Равшана из «Наша Russia»](https://uz.kursiv.media/2026-10-15/iskrenne-sozhaleyu-galustyan-izvinilsya-pered-tadzhikistanczami-za-ravshana-iz-shou-nasha-russia/) - Confirms apologies for the Ravshan persona and the occasion—a visit to Dushanbe. ## FAQ ### Why did Mikhail Galustyan apologize to the Tajik people? Following his visit to Dushanbe on September 30, social media criticism unfolded, primarily concerning the stage characters Ravshan and Dzhumshut from the show "Our Russia," which some audience members deemed offensive to Tajiks and labor migrants. In response, Galustyan recorded an appeal and asked for forgiveness. ### What was Galustyan's visit to Dushanbe related to? According to available reports, TAS International Group invited him to the official presentation of the "Dushanbe International District" development project worth about $1.5 billion, featuring a 77-story tower up to 340 meters high. The artist's video message was first published by company head Oleg Samsonov. ### How did the public react to the apologies? According to available data, Galustyan's sincere apologies and acknowledgment softened the tone of discussions on social media and were positively received by many fans.