Abkhazians celebrate Sukhum’s independence

Sukhum/Agency Caucasus – The Abkhazians celebrated on September 27 the 15th anniversary of Sukhum’s independence from Georgian invasion. 

Some Abkhazians from Turkey joined the celebrations as well. A monument was erected in the Tamish village of Ochamchira in memory of those who lost their lives in the war. It was given the name of ‘the Independence of Abkhazia.’ 

The sculptor Tsira Ahba and the architects Svetlana Shimenkova and Beslan Kaslandziya jointly sculptured the 6.2-meter-high monument. Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh and his aide Raul Hajimba, veterans and guests, attended the inaugural service. Bagapsh also agreed to a parliamentary decision to announce Ochamchira, Gudauta and Tkuarchal as ‘the Heroic Cities.’ After a wreath was placed at the monument in Tkuarchal, a concert was performed. Early in the evening, the Independence Square in Sukhum hosted a theatrical show.   

Maj. Gen. Suslan Soslaniyev and Maj. Gen. Sergey Dbar led a war that the Abkhazians fought against the Georgians for 11 days until it was liberated on September 27 from the Georgian invasion. Abkhazia was fully emancipated from the invasion on September 30.

FT