Russia’s Ossetians and Abkhazians join celebrations
Published 28 August, 2008, 05:11
Celebrations haven’t only been held in the newly-independent republics – South Ossetians and Abkhazians living in Russia are holding their own parties to mark the recognition of their homeland.
Miles away from their native Abkhazia, the Tvanba family feel they have every reason to rejoice.
With a feast of culinary traditions, they’re celebrating Russia’s recognition of their native country’s independence, something they say has been a long time coming.
“Russia has always understood us, helped us, and now recognised us. I will only have positive memories of this country,” Alhas Tvanba said.
Alhas and his wife Hibla moved to Moscow a year ago – him to make better money, her to get an education. But they do plan to return – to what they hope will be a safe, secure and most importantly sovereign Sukhum.
“I’m very glad Russia has finally recognized our country. I hope my children will come back here to study like I did,” Hibla Tvanba said.
And celebrations of this kind haven’t been limited to home-cooking. Abkhazians all over Moscow have been getting together in the city’s restaurants to mark what has been a shock decision, which for many has yet to sink in.
Hostility towards Georgians rejected
On the other side of town, Moscow’s Ossetian population have also been raising their glasses.
Many had friends or family in the now-devastated capital Tshkinval when the fighting began, including Russian Olympic Free Wrestling Team Coach, Dzhambolat Tedeyev, who was in Beijing on the day war broke out.
“When I heard the Russian President declare the independence, tears came to my eyes,” he said. “And I wasn’t alone in that. I hope that other countries will follow Russia’s example and recognise our state. After all, everyone has the right to live.”
And this sentiment was shared by everyone in the room – musicians to professors, North and South Ossetians, Russians and even Georgians.
They see no divide between each other, and reject any suggestion of hostility. Organiser of the event, Valeriy Kabolov, said: “No Ossetian will say they hate Georgians. I love the food, I like a lot of things which Georgians do – their arts, sports – whatever you want, but I don’t want to live in one state with them.”
Rather they want to live separately as neighbours. For them it’s not about being different, they say they simply don’t trust the policies of the politicians.
Nugzar Zhuruli, a half Georgian, half South Ossestian, said: “Here at this feast, people say that it is not Georgians who are to blame for what happened. The blame is on their leadership, namely president Mikhail Saakashvili.”
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