World
Abaza
Congress

In St. Petersburg, the Abkhaz-Abaza Diaspora met with the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the World Abaza Congress, President of the ANO "Alashara" Mussa Khabalevich Ekzekov.

The opening of the event was marked by a welcoming speech by the representative of the President’s Office Abzagu Tsvizhba, who warmly welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of unity and cohesion within the Diaspora.

During the discussion, students actively asked questions about how best to involve young people in the activities of the Diaspora and what events can be organized for their active participation. Mussa Khabalevich Ekzekov emphasized the importance of communication and exchange of opinions so that young people could feel like part of a friendly and close-knit family.

Mussa Ekzekov's speech included fascinating stories from his life, which became a source of inspiration for those present. He shared valuable advice and recommendations on personal development and active participation in the life of society.

The meeting was attended by students of the State University of Civil Aviation named after A.A. Novikov, the State University of Telecommunications named after Professor M.A. Bonch-Bruevich, as well as cadets of the Military Space Academy named after A.F. Mozhaisky. The event was also attended by the head of information policy and communications of the WAC Tengiz Tarba.

At the end of the event, the intention was announced to hold such meetings on a regular basis in order to strengthen ties between the younger generation and more experienced members of the Diaspora. Mussa Khabalevich noted that such meetings play an important role in uniting and supporting the Abkhaz-Abaza youth, h

We are launching a new project "Гәыкала" - a series of interviews with interesting people. These are those with whom we are connected by joint projects and strong friendship.

Our guest was a linguist, diplomat, political figure, member of the Supreme Council of the WAC Viacheslav Chirikba. Science and diplomacy, the problem of preserving the Abkhaz language, the experience of traveling around the world and communicating with amazing people, the role of the WAC in uniting the ethnic group and much more - all this in the first broadcast of "Гәыкала".

The WAC Department for Youth Development and Physical Culture continues thematic lectures on Abkhazian culture, traditions and customs. 

Another lecture was organized for students of the philological faculty of the Abkhazian State University. Ethnologist, candidate of historical sciences Eliso Sanguliia spoke about the main forms of Abkhazian marriage, the traditional rite of bringing the bride home, the essence of wedding and post-wedding ceremonies, and also conducted a comparative analysis of the past and present in observing national traditions. 

Discussions devoted to holding traditional ritual events are very popular among the audience. It is worth noting that for the first time within the framework of the project, a lecture on the same topic is held twice. Previously, a discussion of wedding ritual topics was held for students of Pitsunda Secondary School No. 1. 

The "Ирӡтәым" project has been implemented since 2022. It is aimed at strengthening the value system and expanding the knowledge of young people in the field of culture, history, and spiritual and moral life of the Abkhazians.

We present to your attention a new episode from the film series “About the Main Thing”. The main character of the film was the Director of the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kunstkamera) Andrey Vladimirovich Golovnev - a great friend and partner of the “Alashara” team. Many projects were implemented jointly with the Museum of Anthropology or with the participation of its experts, including Andrey Vladimirovich personally. He took part in the Forum of Indigenous Peoples, visited the “Abaza” festival - the Day of Culture and Games of the Abaza People. It was A.V. Golovnev who suggested using the term “Ekzekov’s Method”.

In the film, Andrey Vladimirovich talks about his impressions of Karachay-Cherkessia, the “Abaza” festival and what main features are inherent in the Abaza people. This is a very interesting story from a professional - a historian and ethnologist.

“There is no need to explain who I am and why in the Caucasus. The science of ethnography or anthropology about ethnic values, about ethnocultural domain and heritage is in the blood. It feels like this science was born somewhere in the Caucasus.”

Enjoy watching!

To mark the birthday of the Abkhazian director, the WAC Information Department prepared material about his life and work. https://abaza.org/en/1198

Scientific research by the Director of the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Golovnev is devoted to the study of ethnicity using the example of the Abaza experience. https://abaza.org/en/1197

Social design specialists Lana Chkadua and Mate Tskvitariia told 9-11 graders of the Gal Secondary School No. 1 about the main components of the project.
The first day of the training included theoretical knowledge, and on the second day the participants were divided into 4 teams, each of which described their ideas in the project form: purchasing books for the library office, equipping the gym with the necessary gear, conducting trainings with a psychologist for senior students and creating a club at the school for additional extracurricular study of the Abkhaz language.

By the decision of the commission, the project of the "Gal Modern" team will receive funding. The project involves the creation of a club at the school for studying the Abkhaz language.

The trainings on the basics of social design are implemented by the World Abaza Congress together with the State Committee for Youth Affairs and Sports.

A charity show and auction of a denim collection was held in Sukhum. The event completed a project launched in 2021 by Colors of Nation with the participation of the World Abaza Congress.

The environmental problem as a global security threat formed the basis of the events. At first stage, the WAC team, together with students of the Gagra Abkhazian School, planted 20 trees on the school grounds. Then, together with Colors of Nation, an eco-lecture was held for local residents on the Gagra embankment. At the lecture, the organizers announced the installation of a battery bin in the "Brioche" city coffee shop. At the end of the lecture, ballerina Diana Apsova performed a dance on a stage decorated with jeans. It is worth noting that shortly before the lecture, a collection of old and unnecessary denim items was announced.

The joint project was aimed at promoting the protection of nature from pollution and destruction, reproduction and the natural use of things among the local population.

After some time, Abkhazian designers presented a denim collection from the collected material to the public. Not only professional models took part in the fashion show, but also ordinary girls, including models with disabilities. The presented items were put up for auction, in which the audience of the show took an active part. The bright show was memorable for the host's ride on a motorcycle, and the performance of young ballerinas. The event ended on a musical note performed by singer Kristina Eshba. All proceeds from the show were donated to the “Ashana” cultural and charitable foundation.

As part of the WAC department project for work with local representatives, the fourth basic military training master class for high school students of Abkhazia was held.

Pupils of the Duripsh Secondary School were invited to the "Abkhaz Shooting Club".

Shooting club instructor Felix Kvitsiniia conducted a theoretical briefing on handling weapons, told how to stand, aim, hold a weapon and shoot. Then, on the shooting field, everyone could apply the acquired knowledge in practice.

It is planned to hold 2 more master classes by the end of 2024.

On October 14, a seminar organized by the Caucasus Ethnography Department of the MAE RAS, "The Caucasus: a crossroads of cultures", was held at the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kunstkamera).

Head of information policy and communications of the World Abaza Congress (WAC) Tengiz Tarba made a report at the seminar. A member of the WAC team, Abzagu Tsvizhba, also took part in the seminar.

The report was devoted to expeditions to ancient human settlements in the mountains of Abkhazia and the history of Christianity in the region.

The event was held within the framework of cooperation of the World Abaza Congress with the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kunstkamera), which is constantly developing thanks to the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the WAC Mussa Khabalevich Ekzekov and the Director of the Kunstkamera Andrei Vladimirovich Golovnev.

Tengiz Tarba told about the joint expeditions of the “Highland Abkhazia” Foundation with the Ministry of Culture and Protection of Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Abkhazia. During these studies, about 350 objects of historical and cultural heritage were discovered, including more than a hundred stone buildings at the foot of Mount Khimsa and six well-preserved ovens on the slopes of Mount Dzykhva.

Tengiz Tarba is the author of personal photo exhibitions and presentations about Abkhazia in Italy, Germany, Russia, San Marino and Pridnestrovie. Tarba was twice announced as the winner of the “My Planet” TV channel award in the "Professional photo and video report on travel" category. The event also included a screening of the films “The History of Christianity in Abkhazia” and “Highland Abkhazia. Ancient Human Site”. The participants discussed the importance of Christianity in Abkhazia, which is one of the countries with the earliest spread of this religion. Back in the 1st century AD, the disciples of Christ, Saints Andrew the First-Called, Simon the Zealot, and Apostle of the 70 Matthias, arrived in Abkhazia to preach the Gospel.

The first church community arose in the 4th century in Pitiunt. We would like to thank Makka Albogachieva, Head of the Caucasus Ethnography Department of the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Historical Sciences, for organizing the seminar.