The Human Rights Center Congratulates with the New Year

On January 11, the Human Rights Center congratulated Abkhaz people with the New Year. Celebrities supported the event of the Center and prepared greeting cards and presents, which will soon be sent to Abkhazia.

The event was arranged within the framework of the “Sorry Campaign,” which was initiated by the Center several months ago. “Sorry for not preventing the war,” is the main message of the campaign. The “Sorry Campaign” is the first step towards making the relationship between two nations more humane.

Ucha Nanuashvili, the executive director of the Human Rights Center: “We decided to congratulate Abkhaz people with New Year in an original way. Once they were part of us. Over fifteen years have passed since the war and we have parted with them. We got in touch with several celebrities and they appreciated our idea for the event. We want to send a message to Abkhaz people saying that we love and remember them; we want to congratulate them with the New Year like we do with our relatives and friends; we want to wish them peace.”

The event was arranged in the Gldani Children Rehabilitation Centre. Representatives of the Human Rights Centre and beneficiaries of the Rehabilitation Center decorated the New Year Tree with greeting cards and presents offered by the celebrities.

The greeting cards contained various messages; though all of them wanted to explain Abkhaz people that they are loved and missed.

“Dear friends, happy New Year. Best wishes, Jemal Chkuaseli, choreographer of the Dance Ensemble “Erisioni.”

“My Abkhaz sisters and brothers, we have endured many problems and controversy together. It must be finished! Life is too short and God will punish everybody who is guilty and support those who are innocent. In 1993, we, the women from “White Shawl”, held out our hands to you. The third party took advantage of our misunderstandings and altered our lives. Let us put an end to our troubles. Happy New Year; we hope to meet each other this year!” Keti Dolidze, film-director.

“Happy New Year!! I hope we will meet each other in 2009.” Achiko Guledani, musician.

“Happy New Year to Abkhaz children; I wish them all the happiness!” Vakhushti Kotetishvili, writer.

“My dear sisters and brothers, my deep love to you. The years we have passed together in happiness and disaster encourage me to congratulate you with the New Year. I wish you happiness, health and peace! I hope we will soon meet each other. I remember love and miss you… yours Basa Botskhishvili, film-director.”

Tea Tofuria, PR Manager of the Human Rights Center stated that Abkhaz people only consider Georgian people to be their enemies and they cannot imagine that we wish peace for them. They only expect revenge from us.

“People on the other side of the Enguri River do no longer know us. Consequently, they do not trust us. We should try our best to restore the trust between each other; we must reach and assure them that we do not have anything to argue about; they should know that Abkhazia is not only a territory for us; Abkhaz people are also precious for us and we must get on with each other.”

Ketino Kobaladze, the director of the Children Rehabilitation Center, considers that these kinds of activities are important. “Similar events should be organized more often. I learned about the idea by chance and offered our center to the organizers. Although children do not know anything about the Abkhazian war, they are very happy to see guests. If at least one Abkhaz or Georgian person who lives in Sokhumi learns that we are not going to fight with them, and we love and miss Abkhazia, it will be the best message for the New Year!”

Children from the studio “A House in a Theatre”, with Mamuka Lomashvili as a director, congratulated Abkhaz people with the New Year; they staged a small performance for the guests.

Mamuka Lomashvili stated that it is very good that Abkhaz children will receive greetings from the Children Rehabilitation Center. “It is more sensitive. I think it is important to cooperate with similar centers and children who live in Abkhazia. Our center has close relationships with centers in Abkhazia and we have joint projects.”

We hope that similar events will be organized by governmental and non-governmental organizations. The fact that at least one Abkhaz will hear our messages and will learn that there are kind people living in Georgia will be a step towards to reconciliation. We will regain Abkhazia through such activities.

Nona Suvariani, Tbilisi