Abkhazia Heritage 9

Protection, preservation, and promotion of the cultural heritage of Abkhazia are key focuses for the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. To achieve this goal, the Ministry, with the support of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, has developed a mobile application titled "Cultural Heritage of Abkhazia."

Abkhazia, as an indigenous part of Georgia, boasts a wealth of unique spiritual and material cultural artifacts that have been crafted over centuries, representing an integral part of the global civilized landscape.

The mobile application consolidates the diverse cultural heritage of Abkhazia, shedding light on its historical and cultural significance as well as its current precarious state. It addresses concerns such as alterations to the appearance and authenticity of early and medieval monuments in the name of restoration, and the potential destruction of Georgian epigraphy specimens. The crucial need to engage the international community, particularly UNESCO, to halt these processes is underscored.

The application will receive ongoing updates and was conceived by the Information-Analytical Center of the Autonomous Republic Abkhazia.

The Ministry of Education and Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia extends its gratitude for the collaboration to:

• LEPL Georgian National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation
• Lia Akhaladze, Doctor of Historical Sciences; Associate Professor at LEPL- Sokhumi State University
• Bezhan Khorava, Doctor of Historical Sciences; Associate Professor at Sokhumi State University
• Giorgi Patashuri, Art Critic and Research Scientist at the G. Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation
• Manana Shekiladze, President of History Teachers Association of Georgia
• Organization "Moambe of Abkhazia"
• Salome Bakhia-Okruashvili; Professor and Doctor of Historical Sciences
• Nugzar Antelava, Doctor of Historical Sciences
• Eldar Kavshbaia, Artist