Abkhazia Mourns Historic Art Loss at Sukhum Memorial Event
Memorial gathering at the Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze monument in Sukhum.
SUKHUM / AQW'A — In a sombre event marking a significant cultural tragedy, a mourning rally was held in Abkhazia following the devastating fire at the Central Exhibition Hall of the Union of Artists of Abkhazia. The fire, which occurred overnight, almost completely destroyed the National Art Gallery's entire collection housed on the second floor, including more than 300 works by the renowned Abkhazian artist Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze.
The rally, which took place in Sukhum Square, in front of the State Museum at the monument of Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze, mourned the irrevocable loss of a substantial part of the nation's cultural heritage. Cultural figures and community representatives from Abkhazia began the event by laying flowers at the grave of Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze, whose works formed a significant portion of the lost collection.
Acting Minister of Culture Dinara Smyr reported a catastrophic loss of over 4,000 art pieces, including more than 300 works by the renowned artist Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze, a towering figure in Abkhazian art. This incident not only signifies a massive material loss but also represents a profound cultural void for the Abkhaz people.
Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze passed away at the age of 101 in Monaco and was initially buried in Nice, France. In 1985, the artist's remains were reinterred in Abkhazia. In a 1958 letter to his daughter, the artist wrote, "Despite being left without means of subsistence, I am sending all my works to my homeland…"
The participants of the rally spoke with deep sorrow about the national tragedy that occurred on the night of January 21. The participants mourned the loss of Chachba-Shervashidze's artistic legacy, remembering his dedication to his homeland, as he had once written, "Despite being left without means of subsistence, I am sending all my works to my homeland."
Preliminary estimates suggest that out of the four thousand exhibits in the gallery, only about 150-200 works survived the fire. The Ministry of Internal Affairs investigating all possible causes of the fire, including the possibility of arson.
This tragic event has not only affected the art community but also resonates deeply with the people of Abkhazia, as they grapple with the immense loss of their cultural legacy.