“Apsny” Abkhazian Culture Festival Held in Moscow

On September 24, 2023, Moscow’s Hermitage Garden hosted the fourth edition of the “Apsny” festival celebrating Abkhazian culture. The word “Apsny” translates literally as “Land of the Soul” – the name Abkhazians use for their homeland.

The festival was traditionally organized by the Moscow Abkhazian diaspora, with support from the Embassy of the Republic of Abkhazia in the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Culture of Abkhazia, the Department of Culture of Moscow, the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, and the Apsny Ethno-Park.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming speeches by Daour Bargandjia, Executive Director of the Moscow Abkhazian Diaspora; Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of the Department of External Economic and International Relations; Yuri Agirbov, Head of the Council of Adyghe Elders in Moscow; Beslan Agrba, Chairman of the Moscow Abkhazian Diaspora; and other distinguished guests.

Sergey Cheremin congratulated attendees on the festival’s opening, praising Abkhazia’s natural beauty – its warm seas and majestic mountains that attract thousands of Muscovites annually.

“Our relationship with Abkhazia is special. In July, we signed a three-year cooperation program in Sukhum. We hope this document will become important in guiding our collaboration not only in economic and foreign trade relations but also in tourism and culture,” Cheremin noted.

At a recreated traditional Abkhazian homestead, visitors explored elements of local life, played musical instruments, sampled national delicacies, immersed themselves in history, participated in language workshops, and learned pottery and archery. Every attendee had the opportunity to discover Abkhazian culture through its traditions, history, art, and cinema.

The main stage hosted performances by national music and dance ensembles. The program also included Caucasian yoga sessions, backgammon and chess tournaments, a book market, and an exhibition of works by contemporary Abkhazian artists.

The festival left vivid impressions and countless positive emotions, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Abkhazia in the heart of Moscow.