Within the framework of the MIA Archive project “Restore history together with archives”, the presentation of the Georgian-Abkhaz joint publication “The Great Terror in Abkhazia (Abkhaz ASSR, 1937 – 1938)” produced with the support of the Council of Europe was held in Tbilisi.
The event was opened by Mr. Shalva Khutsishvili, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.
This is a joint work of Georgian and Abkhaz scholars, a joint project, which reflects our common history. This is the result of joint work, which has been implemented with the support of the Council of Europe. We hope that such projects will enable Georgian scholars, Abkhaz scholars and our specialists to create joint products in different fields. Such projects are very important and we always stand for this kind of dialogue and this kind of joint work”, - said Mr. Shalva Khutsishvili in his opening speech.
The Georgian-Abkhaz joint project was implemented on the initiative and financial support of the Council of Europe, within the framework of Confidence Building Program, and under the cooperation between the Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality.
The three-volume publication contains information related to the repressions that took place in Abkhazia in the 1930s. The information has been collected by Georgian and Abkhaz scholars and experts. The publication also contains documentary materials that are preserved in the Archive.
“The aim of the project was to put together archive materials from the 1937-1938 repressions in Abkhazia. And put it together in a book working with historians both from Tbilisi and Sukhumi. The work lasted approximately two years. The meetings were several until we got a final product. The discussions were very tense but they were always constructive, and the group worked together very well. The project was implemented under the auspices of the Council of Europe within the framework of a large projects, which is called “Confidence Building Measures”, said Ms. Anna Capello - Head of Division for Confidence Building Measures, Directorate of Political Advice and Cooperation of the Council of Europe.
Georgian and Abkhaz scholars have worked together on the three-volume publication for two years. During the workshops held in Istanbul, Venice, Yerevan, Tallinn and Paris, project participants reviewed issues related to the management of archival materials, as well as preparation works for the joint publication, and plans for future cooperation. They discussed separate materials and texts prepared for publication.
“This is our common past, which I think needs to be properly understood and assessed. I am glad that the number of projects aimed at reconciliation and confidence building is growing, and includes different groups of Georgian and Abkhaz people. Implementation of confidence building projects is extremely important”, - said Mr. Petre Kankava, the Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia.
The presentation including a showing of a fiction-documentary film depicting chronological course of the project. The film was produced by the MIA Archive.
The event was attended by Mr. Givi Mikanadze - Rector of the MIA Academy, Mr. Omar Tushurashvili - Director of the MIA Archive, Mr. Cristian Urse - Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia, Ms. Anna Capello – Head of Division for Confidence Building Measures, Directorate of Political Advice and Cooperation of the Council of Europe, as well as the staff of the MIA Academy and the MIA Archive, representatives of the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, diplomatic corps, international and non-governmental organizations, and other invited guests.
