Photo reportage: Abkhazia celebrates its Independence Day and victory in the war with Georgia

Photo: Dmitri Stateynov, JAMnews

Today, 30 September, is officially know as ‘Victory and independence day’ in Abkhazia.

Residents of Sukhum told JAMnews that this is the most revered holiday in modern Abkhazia.

Photo: Dmitri Stateynov, JAMnews

Twenty-four years ago on 30 September 1993, Abkhaz soldiers came to the Enguri bridge and hoisted the nations’ flag there. Initially, this day was called the ‘Day of Victory in the Patriotic War of the Abkhaz Nation of 1992-1993’. Then parliament changed the name to the ‘Day of victory and independence’.

Photo: Dmitri Stateynov, JAMnews

In the war, almost every Abkhaz family suffered losses. According to official data from the Abkhaz side, more than 4,000 people lost their lives. Georgian soldiers completely burned down the State Archive along with the Abkhaz Institute of Language, History and Literature.

Photo: Dmitri Stateynov, JAMnews

On this day, ceremonies begin by laying wreaths down at monuments dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives for Abkhazia. Such monuments are in practically all cities and villages of Abkhazia. The erecting of these monuments was financed by the residents of the republic themselves.

Photo: Dmitri Stateynov, JAMnews

On streets throughout the republic flags are put up. Also, a  portrait of Vladislav Ardzinba, the first president of Abkhazia with whose name the victory is associated, is displayed along with photographs of war heroes.

Photo: Dmitri Stateynov, JAMnews

This year, another new activity took place called ‘The Abkaz Immortal Regiment’. Relatives of those that lost their lives in the war marched down the main streets with portraits of their loved ones.

Photo: Dmitri Stateynov, JAMnews

Photo: Dmitri Stateynov, JAMnews

T hree days ago the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, made a speech in Georgian and Abkhazian, noting that 24 September marks the day of the fall of Sukhumi. He called the war ‘fratricidal’ and said that ‘the war was against both Abkhaz and Georgians, and there were no victors’.

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