İSTANBUL ―  An exhibition showcasing the works of Abkhaz artists has opened in Istanbul. The exhibition, titled "Soot," is dedicated to the fire at the Artists' Union building, where paintings from the National Art Gallery's collection were stored.

SUKHUM / AQW'A ― The grand opening of the 22nd Music Festival "Hibla Gerzmava Invites..." is set to take place in Sukhum on 15th July. Created by the renowned opera diva Hibla Gerzmava in 2001, this festival has been held annually in Abkhazia. 

Since 2014, it has expanded its borders, featuring performances in prestigious venues such as the Great Hall of the Conservatory and the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre in Moscow, the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna, Carnegie Hall in New York, and in St. Moritz, Switzerland

SUKHUM / AQW'A ―   A collection of poems by the classic Ossetian poet Kosta Khetagkaty [Khetagurov] (1859-1906), titled "Iron Fandyr" ("Aups Phiartsa"), has been published in the Abkhaz language. Critics agree that the translator, the Abkhazian poet Gennady Alamia, successfully "preserved the core meaning of Khetagurov's verse and conveyed its sound with simple, accessible, and established Abkhazian syllables and intonations."

In today's climate, dominated by political and military news, it is refreshing to encounter cultural achievements that highlight the rich interplay between national literatures. The publication of "Iron Fandyr" in Abkhazian is a testament to this, underscoring the deep-rooted connections between the Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples.

SUKHUM / AQW'A ― The play "The Last of the Departed" is set to premiere in Istanbul at the end of May 2024. This date marks the 160th anniversary of the end of the Russian-Caucasian War on 21 May. Based on the novel by Bagrat Shinkuba, the production is directed by Madina Argun of the Abkhazian Drama Theatre. Argun noted that rehearsals have been ongoing for two months and the performance is scheduled for the end of May.

SUKHUM / AQW'A ―  The Samson Chanba Abkhaz State Theatre recently delighted audiences with the premiere of "The Snow Maiden" in Abkhaz, based on the play by Alexander Ostrovsky.

The performance, attended by students from Sukhum schools as well as schools from the village of Ldzaa and the settlement of Bzypta, captivated its young audience. The children were engrossed in the magic unfolding on stage, enjoying the enchanting Christmas atmosphere, vivid costumes, music, and special effects.