Public Discussion – Conflicts and Inter-Cultural Relations

Nino Akhobadze

On November 14, Human Rights Center organized public discussion on Conflicts and Inter-Cultural Relations in the frame of the project Coalition for Rebuilding Trust in the conference hall of the Human Rights House Tbilisi; the project is implemented by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee in South Caucasus and Human Rights Center is local partner in it.

The main speaker at the discussion was Zurab Shengelia, director of Scientific-Research Center for Georgian-Abkhazian Relations at the Tbilisi Iv. Javakhishvili State University. He spoke about demographic situation, problems of culture heritage and other significant issues in Abkhazia. Second speaker doctor of agricultural science Ampelographist Vazha Gotsiridze spoke about Abkhazian vines and joint heritage of Georgian and Abkhaz viticulture. 

In the beginning of the discussion, executive director of Human Rights Center Aleko Tskitishvili spoke about historical relations between Abkhaz and Georgian peoples. “We lived together during many centuries; so we have some common traditions and cultural heritage. For example, vine culture and traditions of hospitality. Nowadays, when Abkhaz nation is facing the threat of assimilation and Abkhaz culture is under the risk of disappearance, Georgian nation has historical and state obligation to protect Abkhaz people and culture,” Aleko Tskitishvili said.

Zurab Shengelia said there is alarming demographic situation in Abkhazia. Total population of Abkhazia is about 450 000 people and about 2500 people die every year that might cause demographic catastrophe. According to Mr. Shengelia, cultural heritage is almost destroyed, healthcare system does not exist and Abkhaz people often travel to Tbilisi for medical treatment.

Vazha Gotsiridze noted that as a result of armed conflicts agriculture was seriously damaged in Abkhazia. “Nobody cares about agriculture in Abkhazia. There is no funding. Even the market is limited. Recycling industry is destroyed. Neither tobacco nor tea is produced. All aforementioned facts cause economic crisis. In future, we must assist Abkhaz people through Georgian-Abkhazian cooperation program to restore their agriculture. They do not have specialists and I wish there was some program, in the frame of which Abkhaz specialists will be trained in Georgian universities.”

Vazha Gotsiridze is displaced person. In the past, he made ampelographic collection of Abkhaz vines in Gudauta, where unique vine species like Avasirkhva, Amlakhu, Kachichi and many others were planted. Big part of those species is now reserved only in Georgian collections, like in Saguramo, which was created with the financial support of Cartu Foundation. It is necessary to protect those vine species, to disseminate them and lay out vine-yards particularly in Abkhazia or in neighboring districts of Western Georgia where wines will be produced from those vine-trees.

Initiative of Human Rights Center, Wine Club, Georgian Wine Fund and Eco-Tourism Development Center to plant Peace Vineyard in Samegrelo region was also discussed during the discussion. Ancient Abkhaz and Georgian vine species will grow up together in the vineyard. 

“Our goal is to produce wine from Abkhaz and Georgian vines and interest not only Abkhaz but Georgian and foreign wine specialists. We also plan to disseminate the vine-trees among Georgian and Abkhazian farmers from that Peace Vineyard. Abkhaz people had long history of winery but unfortunately it is degraded now. Nowadays, only hybrid vine Izabela (Adesa) is spread in Abkhazia, which is prohibited to be used in wine-production by the European law. We aim to promote revival of ancient traditions and spread of high-quality Abkhaz vine-species. Similar species are: Avasirkhva, Kachichi and Amlakhu. In the past, other vine-species were also researched and it must be continued,” representative of the Eco-Tourism Development Center Zaza Gagua said.

Discussion participants hoped all bridges are not yet burnt as a result of the past ethnic conflicts between Georgian and Abkhaz people and that inter-cultural relations might promote trust-building and reconciliation process.