Avtandil Surmanidze: 'Abkhazia Has a Future as Long as We Remember'

SUKHUM / AQW'A — Avtandil Surmanidze, deputy head of the Sukhum administration and a veteran of the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia (Georgian-Abkhaz War of 1992-93), has shared his memories of the long-awaited day of victory, the painful discovery of lost comrades after reaching the River Ingur, and why he believes the people of Abkhazia prevailed against overwhelming odds.

For Surmanidze, keeping the memory of the fallen alive is essential to the country’s future. In today’s unsettled world, he believes the republic needs peace at home, unity and a shared commitment to building the country, regardless of political differences.

Avtandil Surmanidze:

“Victory Day will stay with me forever. It was probably the happiest day not just for me, but for all of Abkhazia, for every person who lived here. We had waited so long for that victory!

“Above all, I was overjoyed that we had prevented the genocide of our people. Every one of us, whether Abkhaz or of another nationality, understood perfectly well that if we lost this war, we would simply be wiped out. But we did not let that happen. The odds were overwhelming. You could say that one Abkhaz was fighting against forty Georgians. Yet we won. There could be no other outcome for us: to retreat would have meant losing our homeland, our land, everything.

“Had we lost, those who had not managed to escape would have been killed where they stood. The few who survived would have wandered the world, like the Kurds. But it is better to die for your homeland, on your own soil, than to live without it.

“The happiest news was that we had reached the River Ingur. We spent three days there, on the border. And then… then came the painful reckoning. I began to find out which of my comrades had survived and which would never return. It was deeply painful. So many wonderful lads died at the very last moment, just days, and in some cases only hours, before the war ended. To think of them brings tears to my eyes.

“If we forget all this, we are worth nothing. No one should ever forget the terrible price we paid for that victory. As long as we remember those lads who gave their lives for their homeland, Abkhazia has a future. If we betray their memory, our country will be unable to move forward.

“God forbid that this nightmare should ever happen again. Look at how unstable the world is today: almost 60 countries are effectively at war with Russia. At such a difficult time, we should be living together peacefully and in harmony within our republic, rather than holding protests. Our main task now is to build our own state and create a good life for ourselves and our children.

“If we treat one another with genuine understanding, we will succeed. Personally, it makes no difference to me what views someone holds. Every citizen of Abkhazia is our friend and our brother, whether they are in opposition or support the current government. For me, that division has never existed, and I feel exactly the same today.

“We must stand together. Only then will we overcome every difficulty and secure a good future for us all.”