Photo exhibition “This is our Common Pain”, reflecting armed conflict in Abkhazia, was arranged by the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality of Georgia.

42 pieces of work of famous Georgian photographers Shakh Aivazov, Yuri Mechitov and Giorgi Tsagareli were presented on the exhibition. The photos were taken during the armed conflict and the public viewed their majority for the first time.

“Human tragedy and pain, which haven’s eased till present, are well seen in these photos. Today we, once again, pay respect to the memory of the perished and express condolences to each family, who lost their relative. Here, in this exhibition hall, there are many people who presently cannot return to their homes. We are also well aware, that the people, who are beyond the barbed wire now, are not in good situation.

“This conflict, which shouldn’t ever happen, haven’t worked for the benefit of either Georgians’ or Abkhazians’ interests. There is no winner in this conflict. Everybody suffers damage from the existing situation, as we can understand that everybody’s identity is threatened under the conditions of Russian occupation. This is not only Georgians from Gali, who are in particularly critical situation in the process of Russification. Many Abkhazians already have the feeling of real threat. After quarter of century, they are rightfully concerned with the existing situation.

“This day provides us the opportunity to rethink that this is a common pain, equally painful for Georgians and Abkhazians. It is an unfortunate fact that we cannot change the past; but today we can make a step towards the better future, the future, which fits the interests of each of us. Primarily, this is the peaceful future, which implies elimination of confrontation, building bridges and reconciliation” – Ketevan Tsikhelashvili stated.

The event was followed by official reception and exhibition “We Are Painting Abkhazia”, which was organized and hosted by the Parliamentary Committees of Diaspora and Caucasian Matters and Foreign Relations in the honor of the visit of British MP, Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament Fabian Hamilton to Georgia.