Memorial “Ainaalara”: One Step towards Reconciliation

Nona Suvariani, Tbilisi

Abkhazian language has been taught at one of the public schools in Rustavi for a year. Collage and school “Lampari” is different from other public schools because pupils have been able to learn Abkhazian language since 2007. On May 15 a memorial to Georgian and Abkhazian people who died in the war was opened in the school yard. The name of the memorial is “Reconcilation.”

Davit Menfire, the director of the Rustavi Independent School “Lampari” after Zviad Gamsakhurdia, initiated to open a course of Abkhazian language in September of 2007. he said Georgian children should learn Abkhazian language because Georgian and Abkhazian people should not personally communicate and not through a third person.

rma Osia is the only teacher of Abkhazian language at school; she is Abkhaz. Irma Osia said that initially her attitude to the initiative was very skeptical. “Very often similar things are initiated because of PR campaign. When I met children and school personnel I understood that they really wanted it. Teachers learn Abkhazian language together with their pupils. The school administration thinks of organizing a trip of Georgian and Abkhazian children in a third country and they should speak in Georgian or Abkhazian language.”

Lika Bitsadze is in tenth form and has been learning Abkhazian language since it was opened. She is sure everybody will need to learn second state language.

“When we meet each other, we will use Abkhazian language. I am sure I will keep relationship with them and I must learn the language.”

Nestan Sulughia has Abkhazian mother and she is parent of school pupil. She said we would not have had similar problems if lessons of Abkhazian language had started long time ago.

“When teacher tells them that there is a beautiful side of Georgia where our brothers and sisters are growing up, our children will start to think in another way.”

Dimitri Gulia Course of Abkhazian language demonstrates the importance of the course besides its name. Abkhazian alphabet, sceneries, quotations and everything that is connected with Abkhazia have been decorating the cabinet of the Abkhazian language since it was opened.

Natia Mosidze, a teacher of Georgian language and literature: “The cabinet was founded in 2007. Since then we try to collect Abkhazian literature.”

Irma Osia said that people in Abkhazia know Georgian people learn their language. They have prepared various TV programs about it.

“They look at it a bit ironically but I think final assessments will be positive because we do not have any political motives. We want Abkhazian and Georgian children to introduce each other. Abkhaz and Georgian people do not know each other; our children must not be brought up as enemies.”

On May 15 a memorial “Reconciliation” was opened in the yard of the school. The memorial is set up to the honor of Georgian and Abkhazian people who died in the war. Davit Menafire and Irma Osia were initiators of the memorial. Father Paata blessed the memorial.

Irma Osia: “Opening of this memorial was a precedent. There is no similar memorial in Georgia so far. We are brothers and we must take first steps of reconciliation. We remember both Georgian and Abkhazian soldiers.”

Esma Kokoskeria, editor of the Abkhazian News program on Public Broadcasting, stated that it is a first occasion when we try to confess both sides have victims.

“Innocent people died who was involved in this provocative war. I understand that not every7body will appreciate our initiative but I think it is not important. Important are those people who live on the other side of the River Enguri and they will receive warm, kind impulses from us. It is important to let other side hear that we are not their enemies. We are also human beings who are ready to confess, understand and take first step. I am sure the children who will be grown up in similar schools will create a new generation. And it will lead us to peace, though not in nearest future.”

Lasha Todua, a resident of Sokhumi, attended the opening of the memorial. He said similar activities will have better subsequences than diplomatic negotiations.

“On September 27, 2006, the day of loosing Sukhumi, there was a meeting on “Heroes Squire”. Lots of friend made a speech there. One of the journalists asked me to assess the mentioned event. I told that it was very good to have so many patriots, but the memorial has just one fault. There should not be the names of Georgians only, but Abkhazian ones as well. They are also our brothers.”

Abkhazian classes is funded by the school budget itself.