The II International Scientific and Practical Conference dedicated to the memory of the public and political figure, Doctor of Law, Professor Taras Shamba, was held at the Abkhazian State University.

Esma Golandziia

The conference was opened by Beslan Kobakhiia, a member of the Supreme Council of the WAC, a candidate of sociological sciences, an academician of the Russian Municipal Academy, and Natalia Mamitova, a doctor of legal sciences, a professor of the Department of State Studies at the Institute of Social Sciences of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

The organizers noted the main objectives of the event - to honor and pass on the memory of Taras Shamba from generation to generation, and, importantly, to create a kind of platform for the promotion of Abkhazian legal science. After all, Shamba is known not only as a politician and as public figure, but also, as a talented lawyer, and his numerous scientific works are relevant and in demand today.

Those present shared memories of friendship and joint work with Taras Shamba, and talked a lot about his contribution to the formation of an independent Abkhazian state.

In his speech, the rector of the ASU, academician of the ASA, AIAS, and Russian Academy of Natural Sciences Aleko Gvaramiia noted Shamba's competent professional position and recalled some details from his biography that provide an understanding of what kind of person Taras Mironovich was.

The Minister of Justice, candidate of law sciences Anri Bartsyts read a report on the role of apsuara in the formation of state legal institutions.

"Apsuara as an important element of national legal consciousness continues to influence the application of law, especially in the area of ​​informal dispute resolution. The influence of apsuara is the subject of a separate and profound scientific study. This is an area that needs to be carefully studied," Bartsyts noted.

A lot was said about Taras Shamba's contribution to the cause of uniting our compatriots living abroad. At the height of the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia, Shamba was elected president of the International Association of the Abkhaz-Abaza (Abaza) People (now WAC – ed.). His tenure lasted for 25 years.

"Taras Mironovich held a series of meetings with our compatriots from near and far abroad in Sukhum, Cherkessk, Maykop, Nalchik, Turkey, Syria, Germany, Jordan, Egypt, Holland, Spain and Africa. As a journalist of the Abkhazian State TV and Radio Company of that period, I was lucky to accompany him on many trips. Taras Mironovich's contribution to the modern history of Abkhazia and the strengthening of ties between the Abkhazian people and their brothers in the North Caucasus and Russia cannot be overestimated," noted Ekaterina Bebiia, doctor of philology, and professor of the Department of Journalism at the ASU, in her report.

Bebiia also spoke about the current activities of the organization under the leadership of Taras Shamba's successor, Mussa Ekzekov.

Batal Biguaa, candidate of legal sciences and head of the State Duma Committee on Nationalities, shared his memories of his friendship with Taras Shamba.

"In 2013, we went to Germany with a delegation from the State Duma to attend the Russian-German intergovernmental commission. We were leaving the conference and a group of German scientists approached us, deliberately heading in my direction. "Are you Abkhazian?" they asked. I said "Yes". "Do you know Taras Mironovich?". "Of course, I do!" I was surprised that even in Germany, in Berlin, they know Taras Mironovich."

The conference also featured a scholar, co-author of the book "Abkhazia. Legal Foundations of Statehood and Sovereignty" Alexander Neproshin and our outstanding compatriot Mekhti Kiut-Logunov.

At the end of the event, ASU students Leon Dzheniia and Madina Amichba delivered their speeches.

"Shamba Readings" is an annual International scientific and practical conference held at the Abkhazian State University. The World Abaza Congress, ASU, the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia, and the Moscow Abkhazian Diaspora organize the event.