Sukhum's State Museum Honours the Disappeared of Georgian-Abkhazian War with Poignant Photo Exhibition
On August 30th, the world annually observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
SUKHUM / AQW'A — The State Museum of Military Glory in the name of Vladislav Ardzinba has unveiled a poignant photo exhibition in remembrance of those who vanished during the Georgian-Abkhazian war, also known as the Patriotic War of the people of Abkhazia, which took place from 1992-1993. This initiative has been orchestrated by the "Mothers of Abkhazia for Peace and Social Justice" movement, and has received substantial backing from the Mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Abkhazia.
Speaking at the exhibition's inauguration, Guli Kichba, Chairwoman of the "Mothers of Abkhazia for Peace and Social Justice" movement, remarked, "As we mark the International Day of the Disappeared today, it's imperative to note that Abkhazia has been commemorating this occasion since 2010. That year marked the commencement of rigorous efforts to trace those unaccounted for. We undertook the solemn task of exhuming the remains of Abkhazian fighters interred in the Park of Glory.
The families received 44 identified remains, offering a measure of solace and fostering hope that others too will be located and reunited with their kin." She shared a personal connection as well, revealing that her son, Arzamet Tarba, a recognised Hero of Abkhazia, was long considered among the missing.
On display are evocative photographs extracted from the 2022 publication "Those Fate Did Not Spare...". Each image is paired with heartfelt excerpts, recounting memories of family and friends of the disappeared from the war. These visuals made their debut last year and were subsequently donated to the museum. The conception and realisation of the book were spearheaded by the "Mothers of Abkhazia for Peace and Social Justice", with the financial endorsement provided by the Mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
On August 30th, the world annually observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. To mark this significant date, Sukhum hosted a poignant flower-laying ceremony at the Memorial in the Park of Glory, honouring those who went missing during the Patriotic War of the Abkhazian people from 1992 to 1993.