Alfred de Zayas: "Abkhazia has every right to be an independent country"
"The UN's inaction is partly due to misinformation about Abkhazia and South Ossetia spread by Washington and Brussels."
@mediat.ak, an independent digital journal in Abkhazia, known for its incisive analysis of regional and international issues, conducted an interview with Alfred de Zayas, a former UN Independent Expert (2012-2018). Mr. Zayas also shared his insights with AbkhazWorld, offering a detailed perspective on Abkhazia and its right to self-determination.
Alfred de Zayas: The UN's inaction is partly due to misinformation about Abkhazia and South Ossetia spread by Washington and Brussels. As a result, you are globally perceived as separatists, a term laden with negative connotations. They don't acknowledge you as freedom fighters or as a people desiring independence and decolonisation from Georgia. Instead, they label you as 'bad' separatists. Such propaganda, unfortunately, pervades the air and becomes entrenched in history books as the dominant narrative.
Regrettably, you lack sufficient resources to counter this propaganda. Following the USSR's collapse, the USA decided to dictate the system of international relations, instigating colour revolutions as seen in Georgia and Ukraine, or toppling figures like Milosevic.
However, Abkhazia can find allies elsewhere. I am confident that most people in Latin America, Africa, and Asia don't view the Abkhazians as separatists. It's vital to spread information about Abkhazia in these regions.
Celebrating the 95th Birthday of Esteemed Scholar Mirra Konstantinovna Khotilashvili-Inal-Ipa
On 5th of December, we celebrate the birthday of Mirra Konstantinovna Khotilashvili-Inal-ipa, a distinguished historian, archaeologist, and honoured cultural worker of Abkhazia, as well as an honorary doctor of the Abkhazian National Academy. This year marks her 95th birthday.
Born in 1928 in Tbilisi, she graduated from the subtropical department of the Tbilisi Georgian Institute of Agriculture in 1951. Upon graduation, she was assigned to work in the rural administration of the Gulrypsh district executive committee.
In Abkhazia, she met Shalva D. Inal-ipa (1916-1995), a research fellow at the Abkhazian Research Institute of Language, Literature, and History. They united their destinies in January 1952. Shalva Inal-ipa instilled in her a deep interest in the history, ethnography, and archaeology of Abkhazia.
Batal Kobakhiya, a renowned archaeologist, public figure, and Hero of Abkhazia, spoke to an Apsnypress correspondent about his acquaintance with Mirra Konstantinovna Khotilashvili-Inal-ipa, her contributions to historical science, and his friendship with the Inal-ipa family. Read here...
Abkhazia Sees Significant Tourism Boost in 2023 with 1.3 Million Visitors
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― In 2023, Abkhazia welcomed 1.3 million visitors, marking an increase of nearly 200,000 from the previous year. This trend reflects the growing interest in the region as a tourist destination, significantly impacting its economy.
Zaur Shalashaa, the Director of the Institute of Economics and Law of the Abkhazian Academy of Sciences, and a Doctor of Economic Sciences, shared insights into the recent developments in the tourism sector. According to him, the steady annual increase of around 100,000 tourists highlights the success of the tourism season. He attributes this growth to instability in other resort regions and the rising trend of domestic tourism within Russia, a major source of tourists for Abkhazia.
The tourism industry is seen as a driving force of the republic's economy, with top revenue-generating attractions like the Ritsa Relict National Park and the New Athos Cave. In 2023, these sites saw impressive financial returns, with the Ritsa Park earning over 380 million rubles (around $4.1M) and the New Athos Cave exceeding 269 million rubles (2.9M) in revenue.
Cultural Revival through Dance: Nalmes' 'Adyghe Folk Wedding' Performance
MAYKOP ― On December 5, 2023, at 19:00, the State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble of Adygea "Nalmes" under the aegis of the Concert Association of the Republic of Adygea, showcased the creative project "Adyghe Folk Wedding" (Адыгэ нысэщэ джэгу) in the Grand Hall of the Philharmonic in Maykop.
This production, supported by a grant from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Concert Association of the Republic of Adygea, delved into exploring the rich history and ethnicity of the Adyghe (Circassian) people. It played a pivotal role in educating the younger generation about Adyghe etiquette (Khabze), vital for the revival of national traditions, unique moral-ethical norms, and moral-aesthetic values.
The performance presented tonight is available for viewing on YouTube