The new project "Ирӡтәым" started in the Gudauta Secondary School No. 1 by the World Abaza Congress and the Abkhaz language teacher Inna Dzhugelia.
The team of the World Abaza Congress, together with the teacher of the Department of the Abkhaz language at the Abkhazian State University, Inna Dzhugelia, launched a new project "Ирӡтәым" (in translation from Abkhaz means "something that cannot be lost"). The "Ирӡтәым" project started at the Gudauta Secondary School No. 1 named after Nestor Lakoba on Wednesday, March 1.
The project is aimed at awakening in children love for their native land, educating the foundations of the Abkhazian national character, such as decency, conscientiousness, as well as familiarizing them with such national spiritual values as apsuara.
The first stage of the project consists of a cycle of 10 lectures for high school students of the Gudauta district, which are dedicated to the Abkhazian traditional culture. Historians, linguists, ethnographers and ethnologists will be involved in the lectures.
Inna Dzhugelia, who was the author of the project, noted the importance of holding such events dedicated to national culture.
"Thanks to cooperation with the World Abaza Congress, the first lecture was held today as part of the "Ирӡтәым" project. The name itself, translated from the Abkhaz, means "something that cannot be lost." This is the main task of the project: we must not lose what makes us Abkhazians - our language, culture, history and identity," said Dzhugelia.
According to her, there should be more projects in which the younger generation will be told the history of their people, culture, customs and traditions.
"Given that in the modern and dynamic world national borders are being erased, small ethnic groups should try to preserve their identity," she added.
The senior employee of the Department of Ethnology of the Abkhazian State Museum Inga Shamba was invited to the first pilot lecture. She told the students about the traditions and customs of the Abkhazian courtyard.
"Abkhazian courtyard: traditions and customs was chosen for the first lecture as the topic". After all, it is from the courtyard that the culture of the Abkhazians begins. I must say that the topic is quite voluminous, we managed to talk only about some aspects," said Inga Shamba.
She also noted that lectures on Abkhazian culture for schoolchildren in this format are held for the first time and the younger generation enthusiastically responded to such an initiative.
"Today I was convinced that our youth have a great interest in their native culture. The guys asked questions, took an active part in the discussion, shared their knowledge in the field of Abkhazian traditions and customs," Inga Shamba summed up the results of the first meeting.
High school students of the Bambora Secondary School named after Boris Tarba also attended the first lecture.
A student of the Bambora School, Nikita Chkok, believes that the younger generation should learn from the elders the knowledge of traditions and the basics of behavior.
"Today we attended an event organized by the World Abaza Congress. I think everyone present liked the lecture. We learned a lot. I want to thank all the organizers of the meeting. Many details in the Abkhazian traditional culture require clarification. We, the younger generation, cannot always figure it out on our own," Chkok said.
He also noted that thanks to such projects, it becomes even more interesting to study the Abkhazian culture and carry this knowledge with pride.
The coordinator of the new project "Ирӡтәым" from the World Abaza Congress was the specialist of the Department for Youth Development and Physical Culture of the WAC Esma Kvitsinia.
She noted that the main goals of the project are to arouse interest in the origins of the ancient Abkhazian people, to form a sense of pride in their native land among the younger generation.
"Everyone knows that without knowing one's history, culture and language it is impossible to fully understand and appreciate oneself. Such a format of a lecture-acquaintance of schoolchildren with their culture will allow them to join national traditions. As part of the project, we will interactively introduce them to the culture of the ancient Abkhaz people. We hope that the lectures will be appreciated and will bear fruit," Esma Kvitsinia said.
The project coordinator also noted that the second stage of the project is currently being discussed, within the framework of which similar lectures will be held for schools in the Ochamchira district.
The first stage of the "Ирӡтәым" project will be held in the form of lectures for high school students in the Gudauta district from March to May 2023.
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