Nona Suvariani, Tbilisi

On January 11, the Human Rights Center congratulated Abkhaz people with the New Year. Celebrities supported the event of the Center and prepared greeting cards and presents, which will soon be sent to Abkhazia.

The event was arranged within the framework of the “Sorry Campaign,” which was initiated by the Center several months ago. “Sorry for not preventing the war,” is the main message of the campaign. The “Sorry Campaign” is the first step towards making the relationship between two nations more humane.

Ucha Nanuashvili, the executive director of the Human Rights Center: “We decided to congratulate Abkhaz people with New Year in an original way. Once they were part of us. Over fifteen years have passed since the war and we have parted with them. We got in touch with several celebrities and they appreciated our idea for the event. We want to send a message to Abkhaz people saying that we love and remember them; we want to congratulate them with the New Year like we do with our relatives and friends; we want to wish them peace.”

The event was arranged in the Gldani Children Rehabilitation Centre. Representatives of the Human Rights Centre and beneficiaries of the RehabilitationCenter decorated the New Year Tree with greeting cards and presents offered by the celebrities.

The greeting cards contained various messages; though all of them wanted to explain Abkhaz people that they are loved and missed.

“Dear friends, happy New Year. Best wishes, Jemal Chkuaseli, choreographer of the Dance Ensemble “Erisioni.”

“My Abkhaz sisters and brothers, we have endured many problems and controversy together. It must be finished! Life is too short and God will punish everybody who is guilty and support those who are innocent. In 1993, we, the women from “White Shawl”, held out our hands to you. The third party took advantage of our misunderstandings and altered our lives. Let us put an end to our troubles. Happy New Year; we hope to meet each other this year!” Keti Dolidze, film-director.

“Happy New Year!! I hope we will meet each other in 2009.” Achiko Guledani, musician.

“Happy New Year to Abkhaz children; I wish them all the happiness!” Vakhushti Kotetishvili, writer.

“My dear sisters and brothers, my deep love to you. The years we have passed together in happiness and disaster encourage me to congratulate you with the New Year. I wish you happiness, health and peace! I hope we will soon meet each other. I remember love and miss you… yours Basa Botskhishvili, film-director.”

Tea Tofuria, PR Manager of the Human Rights Center stated that Abkhaz people only consider Georgian people to be their enemies and they cannot imagine that we wish peace for them. They only expect revenge from us.

“People on the other side of the EnguriRiver do no longer know us. Consequently, they do not trust us. We should try our best to restore the trust between each other; we must reach and assure them that we do not have anything to argue about; they should know that Abkhazia is not only a territory for us; Abkhaz people are also precious for us and we must get on with each other.”

Ketino Kobaladze, the director of the ChildrenRehabilitationCenter, considers that these kinds of activities are important. “Similar events should be organized more often. I learned about the idea by chance and offered our center to the organizers. Although children do not know anything about the Abkhazian war, they are very happy to see guests. If at least one Abkhaz or Georgian person who lives in Sokhumi learns that we are not going to fight with them, and we love and miss Abkhazia, it will be the best message for the New Year!”

Children from the studio “A House in a Theatre”, with Mamuka Lomashvili as a director, congratulated Abkhaz people with the New Year; they staged a small performance for the guests.

Mamuka Lomashvili stated that it is very good that Abkhaz children will receive greetings from the ChildrenRehabilitationCenter. “It is more sensitive. I think it is important to cooperate with similar centers and children who live in Abkhazia. Our center has close relationships with centers in Abkhazia and we have joint projects.”

We hope that similar events will be organized by governmental and non-governmental organizations. The fact that at least one Abkhaz will hear our messages and will learn that there are kind people living in Georgia will be a step towards to reconciliation. We will regain Abkhazia through such activities.

Georgian Celebrities Congratulate Abkhaz People on New Year

My dear friends,
Congratulations on forthcoming new 2008.
Best wishes,
Djemal Chkuaseli, Leader of Song and Dance Company Erisioni

My dearest Abkhaz brothers and sisters,
We have gone through many difficult moments together. It is high time to put an end to the conflict that exists between us. Life is too short to waste it fighting between us. Leave it to God to decide who has been right and who has been wrong.  Let him punish the responsible and have mercy on the innocent. In 1993, the women members of peace movement “Tetri Mandili” took a step to towards you. However, others were not very friendly and terrible things happened as a result. Let us put an end to this conflict once and for all.
Happy New Year, may hope help us to find way to each other.
Sincerely Yours, Keti Dolidze,  Theater director

Dear Abkhazians,
Happy New Year!!!
I hope, we shall meet new 2009 together.
Best wishes,
Achiko Guledani,  Musician

I congratulate Abkhaz children on the New Year and wish them happiness!
Vakhushti Kotetishvili,  Writer

“My dear brothers and sisters,
I want to express enormous love that I have for you. In respect to the years that we have spent together, I would like to congratulate you with all my heart for New Year’s Day and wish you all the happiness, health and peace!  My hope that we will see soon see each other very soon. I love you; I miss you. You are always on my mind.
Yours truly, Basa Potskhishvili, Director

My dear friends,
I love you all. I wish endless happiness in 2008 and in the years afterwards to all of you.
Sincerely, Ia Antadze,  Journalist

Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I wish peace and happiness to all of you.
All the best, Natia Grigalashvili, Photographer

Happy New Year and I wish you happiness, health and peace.
Let this be the year of reconciliation between Georgians and Abkhazians.  We love and remember you.
Sincerely, Ucha Nanuashvili,  Head of the HumanRightsCenter

Happy New Year.
Let us pray together for a happy future! God bless you!
Irakli Cholokashvili, Actor

“My congratulations to Abkhaz people on New Year.
I wish we will soon together soon.”
Eka Kevanishvili,  Editor in chief of the HumanRightsCenter internet newspaper

To my dear Abkhaz sisters and brothers – and to all my colleagues –committed poets of Abkhazia.
I hope that 2008 will be the year of big friendship and mutual happiness.
Yours respectfully,  Zurab Rtveliashvili, Poet

Happy New Year!
Our friendship is eternal. I wish you happiness and joy.
Irina Putkaradze, NGO “Healthy Universe”

11 Jan. '08