Exhibition of unknown photographs, film screening among activities of Abkhazia Day in Tbilisi
Abkhazia Day is marked in Georgia following an initiative by Ilia II, the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Photo: Georgian Agriculture Ministry
Tweet 
Share
An exhibition of previously unseen photographs of public figures taken in Georgia’s Russian-occupied north-western Abkhazia region, and a screening of a film on the province’s cultural heritage have been hosted in Tbilisi as part of celebrations of Abkhazia Day on Monday.
Visitors to the event at the hilltop Mtatsminda Park were able to view the unique monuments of Abkhazia through a digital museum, with the occasion organised by the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
Georgian Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia, in attendance for the events, said the cultural events included in the occasion were “very important” and pointed to the “common history, culture and coexistence” between communities on different sides of the occupation line.
Abkhazia is occupied today. We must all do our best to restore unity, to build a strong, united state together,” Shamugia added.
Abkhazia Day is marked in Georgia following an initiative by Ilia II, the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili on Monday voiced messages of “unity” to mark Abkhazia Day with Georgian citizens, and in particular with “Abkhaz brothers and sisters” in the occupied north-western region.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who recently attended an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of UNESCO, has called on the organisation to establish an international Day of Caucasian Languages, which also would include Abkhaz.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has congratulated the public on Abkhaz Language Day earlier today. Garibashvili emphasised that the Abkhaz language along with Georgian ‘is protected by the Constitution of Georgia and the state has a special obligation to preserve and develop it.’
Today Georgia is commemorating the 29th anniversary of the Abkhazia War, which ended with the area becoming a breakaway region of Georgia and leaving hundreds of thousands displaced. In recognition of the date Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that 'historical justice will be restored and Georgia will definitely be united'.
Today Georgia is commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Abkhazia War, which ended with the territory becoming a breakaway region of Georgia and leaving hundreds of thousands displaced.