The round table about “Apsuara (Traditions)”: “Traditions and customs in contemporaneity” was held in Sukhum.

On the initiative of the International Fund “Apsny” the round table covering the topic: “Traditions and customs in contemporaneity” was held in Sukhum, in the conference hall of “Atrium Victoria” Hotel.

The round table was attended by leading political, public and scientific figures of the Republic of Abkhazia.

At the very beginning of the meeting, attendees honored a memory of well-known public and political figure, the Chairman of Council of Elders of the Republic of Abkhazia Konstantin Ozgan with a minute of silence. The round table was moderated by Chairman of the Culture and Education Committee of International Fund “Apsny” Nugzar Logua. The importance of respecting traditions in order to preserve the national identity, ethnos and culture of Abkhaz nation was stressed.

The President of the International Fund “Apsny” Sener Gogua made a welcoming speech. In particular he noted that: “The Fund has a significant task to uphold and maintain Apsuara regulations, which are history and traditions for us, life and code of behavior…”

The round table participants had a great opportunity to listen to interesting presentations on various aspects of research and preservation of traditions and customs.

Presentations were made by:

Ankvab Guram – PhD on History, Associate Professor of the Journalism Department of the Abkhaz State University, Chairman of Media and Public Relations Committee of the International Fund “Apsny”. The presentation topic: “Major research interests of the Abkhaz culture”.

Oleg Dameniya – Director of the Center of Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Abkhazia. The presentation topic:” How to get out from the hard period”

Bigvava Valery – PhD on History. The presentation topic: “Everyday culture of Abkhaz people: yesterday, today and tomorrow”.

Kvitsiniya Mziya – PhD on Philosophy, Associate Professor of the Abkhaz State University. The presentation topic: “Reflection of the Abkhaz State and Abkhaz people”.

Dbar Roman – Director of Ecology Institute under the Academy of Science of the Republic of Abkhazia. The presentation topic: “How Abkhaz people had been saving and protecting the nature in ancient times. What do we use now?”

Agrba Irina – PhD on History. The presentation topic: “Proud to be Abkhazian”.

Kvitsiniya Gunda – Director of the State Fund for development of Abkhaz language. The presentation topic: “The role of the Abkhaz language and literature in the restoration process of the Abkhaz State”.

Khashba Astanda – Junior staff worker of Political Science and Conflict ology Department of the Abkhaz research institute. The presentation topic: “Demographic Development of Abkhaz people”.

Ashuba Arda – PhD on Philology, Dean of the Philological Fuculty of the Abkhaz State University. The presentation topic: “Clarify and curse of Abkhaz people in ancient times and today”.

Chkotua Oktay – Chairman of Apsuara Committee of the International Fund “Apsny”.

Guests of the roundtable had an opportunity to express their views on issues concerning preservation and development of Abkhaz culture and traditions. In particular, the Vice-speaker of Parliament Emma Gamisoniya, the member of Parliament Valeriy Kvarchiya, assistant of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia on language politics Tali Jopua, Nugzar Ashuba, the Chief  Editor of “Alashara” magazine Anatoly Lagulaa, the journalist Vakhtang Abkhazou and etc.