Restored Memorial to the Defenders of Abkhazia Reopens at Gumista Bridge
SUKHUM / AQW'A — A ceremony to mark the reopening of the restored memorial to soldiers who fell in the 1992–1993 Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia (Georgian-Abkhaz War) was held near the upper bridge over the River Gumista, ahead of the Republic of Abkhazia’s Victory and Independence Day.
Created by local residents after the war as a spontaneous, community-built tribute, the memorial has now been landscaped and given a cohesive architectural form.
The extensive restoration was made possible after a local residents’ initiative group secured funding through the “Creators of Abkhazia” competition. The project was implemented by the Garant Centre for Social Technologies with financial support from Russia’s Presidential Grants Foundation.
The ceremony brought together representatives of the Sukhum District administration, members of the public, war veterans and the competition’s organisers.
Welcoming those gathered, Alkhas Chitanava, head of the Sukhum District administration, underlined the occasion’s historical significance for the republic:
“We are approaching a great celebration, the most important in our state’s history — Victory Day. Today, this restored and renovated memorial reopens. This has been made possible by the Presidential Grants Foundation and the non-profit organisation Garant. I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who responded to our application and approved funding for this project.
“I would also like to thank Marina Yevgenyevna Mikhailova personally for her considerable contribution. Without your involvement and your care for Abkhazia and our history, today’s occasion would not have been what it is. Before us stands a renewed memorial, one that has grown beyond the spontaneous tribute created by local people in the post-war years.
“My heartfelt thanks go to those who designed the memorial, to all the workers and to everyone involved. I wish you all good health. May no people ever again have to endure events that claim so many lives. Peace and good health to you all, and my best wishes for the forthcoming holiday.”
Marina Mikhailova, director of the Garant Centre for Social Technologies, which administers the “Creators of Abkhazia” competition, offered her congratulations to the people of the republic and highlighted the importance of community initiative in preserving historical memory:
“First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the people of Abkhazia on the approaching great celebration and thank you for allowing us to be part of these events. Through the ‘Creators of Abkhazia’ competition and with support from the Presidential Grants Foundation, we were able to support 32 projects last year, addressing a wide range of social needs. Every one of these projects was initiated by active members of communities across Abkhazia. Today, we are attending the opening of a memorial that is the result of one such project.
“Outside support is, of course, very important. But what matters most is your own commitment: the care with which you preserve your history and look after the memorials and monuments that honour the heroes of the Republic of Abkhazia. Supporting this project meant a great deal to us, and we were very pleased to do so. Seeing the results today is deeply moving. We drove past late yesterday evening and saw the lighting and the star shining in the darkness. The transformation was immediately apparent. So many people have contributed to this work.”
Levan Chkheidze, head of the Gumista village administration, outlined the restoration work and plans for the memorial’s further development.
He explained that the memorial had undergone extensive structural and technical improvements while fully retaining the spirit of the original community tribute.
“This entire memorial was originally created by the parents of fallen soldiers. They put it together themselves and brought photographs. Through this project, we have improved its appearance and given it a more monumental character. All the old cement structures were completely dismantled and rebuilt, and high-quality granite tiles were laid. We commissioned new lettering for the inscriptions and installed a new centrepiece — a gold-coated stainless-steel hand.
“We paid particular attention to the lighting. There are now spotlights mounted on two poles, as well as lighting around the area where candles are placed. The restoration was designed by Oleg Chedia, who undertook the entire design free of charge as his personal contribution,” Chkheidze said.
According to the village administration head, the memorial remains a living symbol of remembrance. This year, four additional photographs were placed on the display at the request of the parents of fallen heroes, and this work will continue. The grant also funded improvements to the surrounding grounds, including the planting of 20 Himalayan cedar saplings along the memorial complex. There are plans to extend the planted area in future.