The "Abaza" Cultural and Sports Festival is an event that unites tradition and modernity, reflecting the unity of the Abkhaz-Abaza people. Symbolically, the festival begins on July 23, the day the national flag of Abkhazia was approved.
Selma Bazba
For 11 years now, the national holiday of the Abaza people is becoming bigger, brighter, and more colorful year after year. The festival is held at the initiative of Mussa Ekzekov, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the World Abaza Congress.
It also includes the Day of the Abaza People's Games, which this year took place in the village of Kazma on July 25.
The festival began in the Green Island Park. Thematic pavilions presented the values and culture of the Abaza people, along with exhibitions of arts and crafts, and national cuisine.
All was in the best traditions: dancing, singing, refreshments, a crafts fair, meetings of representatives of the Abkhaz-Abaza ethnic group, a procession in national costumes under proudly waving flags – this is how the Day of the Abaza People's Culture is celebrated in the city of Cherkessk.
A big number of guests, including both residents and visitors to the republic, joined the celebration. The Abkhazian delegation at the celebration included the World Abaza Congress team, the State Committee for Repatriation led by its head, and representatives of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Sukhum Municipal Assembly. Abkhazian and Abaza pop artists performed at the concert. The People's Artists of the Republic of Abkhazia, VIA "Apsny-67," entertained guests with their hits.
Thanks to the personal initiative of Gudauta District Assembly Deputy Roman Bagateliia and the active support of the WAC, a trip was organized for members of the vocal and instrumental ensemble from the village of Otkhara. This was children’s first trip abroad and they were eagerly awaiting it.
The opening ceremony took place later in the evening. Welcoming speeches were delivered by Zurab Agirbov, Minister of Culture of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic; Taulan Ediev, First Deputy Minister for Nationalities; Oleg Khetagurov, Chairman of the Ossetian organization FARN; and guests from Abkhazia.
"Alashara's" Cherkessk office director, Murat Gedugov, read a message from Mussa Ekzekov, the association's president:
"Dear friends, dear brothers and sisters! Every year we gather to touch our roots. Our people live in different cities and countries. But we are all one family. We preserve the language of our ancestors and pass on our heritage and customs to our children. Abaza is a connection between generations, a spiritual support that helps us move forward with confidence. It is a wonderful and integral part of Russia's vast multinational heritage. We are proud of our cultural wealth and share it with open hearts."
Representatives of the World Abaza Congress also emphasized the importance of strengthening the unbreakable ties between fraternal peoples. Temur Rekvava, head of the Sukhum office of the World Abaza Congress, told about the main goals of participating in the large-scale forum:
"According to established tradition, a large delegation from Abkhazia comes to the cultural and sports festival every year. We always want to share emotions with our brothers and sisters from Abazashta. For us, the most important part of the festival is to meet, get to know each other, and establish contacts to strengthen our bond. Such cultural and sports events are a great help in achieving this goal," he noted.
The second part of the event took place in the amphitheater. Abkhazian and Abaza artists performed at the "Abaza Heritage" concert. Special guests of the evening were soloists from the "Apsny-67" ensemble and the "Abazinka" vocal and instrumental ensemble.
The celebration finale featured a good mood and promises to meet here again next year.
Laying flowers at the monument to fallen volunteers
The following day, May 24, members of the Abkhazian delegation laid flowers at the monument to the fallen volunteers and honored the memory of the heroes.
Unity of sport and tradition: how the 11th Abaza Games were held in the village of Kazma
On July 25, the 11th large-scale Abaza Games took place in the village of Kazma in the Adyge-Khabl District of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. Every year, the games bring together sports delegations from Abaza settlements in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic and a sports delegation from the Republic of Abkhazia. Organized by the "Alashara" International Association, the event was attended by several thousand spectators.
The tournament was marked by the qualitative development of sports infrastructure: residents of the village of Kazma prepared a volleyball court and built a modern workout area on the competition grounds. A play and recreation area was created for the youngest guests, where they could enjoy trampolines and a variety of other activities. A food court was set up, and spaces were created where guests could escape the sweltering heat.
The competition program included 12 disciplines, including football, volleyball, track and field, national triathlon, jumping, archery, pole climbing, stone throwing, and more. This year, freestyle wrestling was included in the Games regulations for the first time.
The delegation of athletes from Abkhazia was led by Kherson Simoniia, a specialist in working with local branches of the WAC.
"The delegation of athletes from Abkhazia included a football team from the village of Lykhny, a volleyball team from the village of Tsandrypsh, and a freestyle wrestling team. It's worth noting that freestyle wrestling as a discipline is included in the competition for the first time. Of course, all competitors want to win, but for us, that's not the most important thing in the Games. Every year, we come from Abkhazia to strengthen our relationships, introduce Abkhazians to the Abaza, and unite our people," Simoniia emphasized.
Every year, the Games attract hundreds of spectators who come to cheer on their friends and meet their brothers.
At the height of the day, the stadium was filled with a festive atmosphere as the opening ceremony of the XI Abaza People's Games began.
Traditionally, this important moment was marked by the handover of the main trophy. With proud fans watching, the bronze challenge cup from last season's winners was ceremoniously returned to the competition's organizing committee.
Distinguished guests addressed the athletes and guests of the sports festival: representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers and the deputies of the People's Assembly of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, wishing the athletes a fair fight.
After a tense and spectacular competition, the tournament leader was determined: the team from the village of Inzhich-Chukun won a well-deserved victory in the overall team standings.
The champions raised the cup above their heads, and the baton for hosting this large-scale ethno sports forum was officially passed to the village of Kara-Pago.
The celebration concluded beautifully with an expanded cultural program, which treated all guests to stunning performances by the region's leading choreographic and vocal groups.