The Congress held a lecture on the history of the Abkhaz-Abaza people in the village of Uarcha.

The World Abaza Congress organized a lecture on the historical, cultural and linguistic unity of the Abkhaz-Abaza people in the village of Uarcha. It was delivered by a member of the Supreme Council of the WAC, director of the Abkhazian Institute for Humanitarian Research named after Dmitry Gulia, a well-known Abkhazian scholar Arda Ashuba.

The lecture was held at the Uarcha school, attended by students, teachers and local residents.

Arda Ashuba noted the high interest in the topic of the meeting.

"I was very pleased with the reaction of the audience, they listened with great interest, especially the children. They asked questions. The children were interested in what problems Abaza writers raise today, and what parallels can be drawn with modern Abkhazian literature. Most likely, we will not limit ourselves to one meeting, there is a request to continue the conversation on this topic. The children were given tasks: to collect toponyms from the places they come from - as we know, those who came from the villages of Arasadzykh, Otap and others live in Uarcha - and also try to make a family tree for everyone," the lecturer said.

Arda Ashuba added that it is possible to add variety to such meetings - for example, as part of one of the meetings, together with the students, cook dishes of the Abkhaz-Abaza cuisine.

"Children can organize their own small museum here at the school, provide one room for this. Over time, you can take Abkhazian students to the KChR, show them the life of modern Abaza. Then bring Abaza children here to us, to Abkhazia. Let the children watch and listen to fairy tales in Abaza and many other things," the scholar listed and summed up: "I am very pleased with how today's meeting went."

The head of the WAC Women's Councils, Geta Ardzinba, told how the idea of ​​holding a meeting in Uarcha came about: members of the local branch of the village came to the office of the Congress in Sukhum with a request to arrange a lecture for young people "about the roots, about the historical connection that exists between Abkhaz and Abaza."

"Arda Inverovich Ashuba responded to our request with great enthusiasm. The lecture took place.  We are very pleased that these one and a half hours passed in one breath. We are very grateful to Arda Inverovich for the fact that the lecture was not only informative, but also emotional. An atmosphere of free communication reigned, there were a lot of jokes, smiles," said Ardzinba.

The director of the Uarcha secondary school, Omar Karkhalava thanked the Congress and the lectures delivered.

"We, adults, have also heard a lot of valuable and interesting things. I think it was very useful for young people. Many thanks to Arda Inverovich for finding time for us, despite his busy schedule.  We will be glad to see him again. Of course, thanks to the organizers as well," he said.

High school student Khadzharat Dzhopua liked the content of the meeting very much.

"I am very glad that I was present at Arda Ashuba's lecture today: I heard a lot of new and interesting things. I will come again and I want more young people to attend such events. Most of all, I liked the information about the beliefs of the Abaza and how the Abkhazians and Abaza from ancient times were very sensitive to brotherly bonds. I hope that we will carry these values ​​forward.  I had heard before about family tamgas (tamga is a generic family sign, a seal that was affixed on the family property - ed.), however my knowledge was incomplete, and today, when I asked Arda Enverovich a question, he told me everything in detail, for what I am very grateful to him," he said.

The World Abaza Congress has planned another lecture in the village of Uarcha. All are encouraged to attend it. The next lecture will take place in early September.