Abkhazia Plans Cultural Centre in Cairo to Connect with Egyptian Diaspora

SUKHUM / AQW'A — A delegation from Abkhazia, led by Vadim Kharazia, Chairman of the State Committee for Repatriation, met with Russian Ambassador to Egypt, Georgy Borisenko, in Cairo to discuss establishing an Abkhazian Cultural Centre in the Egyptian capital. This initiative aims to connect Egyptian citizens of Abkhazian descent with their ancestral homeland by facilitating cultural exchange and heritage preservation.

During the meeting, Kharazia highlighted the need for Russian Embassy assistance in issuing transit visas, which are crucial for enabling visits by Egyptian Abkhazians to Abkhazia. Ambassador Borisenko assured the delegation of his full support, pledging to help create the necessary conditions for this project.

Kharazia also shared insights into the work of Abkhazian cultural centres worldwide, emphasizing their role in preserving Abkhazian heritage abroad. 

The delegation includes Aslan Sangulia, head of the State Committee's organisational and legal department; Astamur Dzhinzholia, deputy director of the Repatriation Fund; Ibrahim Avidzba, Abkhazia's representative in Türkiye; and Abkhazian MPs Rashida Aiba, Dmitry Marshan, Venori Bebia, Narso Salakaya, and Inar Gitsba.

Previously, the World Abaza Congress (WAC) also made important progress in strengthening ties with Egypt. In 2019, a delegation from the WAC met with Dr. Yahya Esmat Ali, head of the Egyptian Foundation for the Development of Culture and Art, to discuss areas for collaboration. During these consultations, both parties agreed on future cooperative initiatives, primarily centred on cultural exchange.

While it is difficult to determine the exact size of the Abkhaz-Abaza diaspora in Egypt, some estimates suggest that more than a thousand descendants of Abkhazians and Abaza (Abazin) currently live in the country. Most of us are concentrated in three major provinces: Ash Sharqia, Cairo, and Alexandria.