Initiative by Georgian National Library
By Mariam Chanishvili
Tuesday, August 6
On August 7-17 Independence Hall of the National Library (5 Gudiashvili Street) is inviting guests, anyone who wants to recall the war, occupation and record it all in the album “Stories about my War.”
The event will feature photos depicting the August war and occupation by photographer Leli Blagonravova and the National Library’s digital collection “Iverieli.” In the unique album in the hall, each visitor will be able to record their memories, thoughts, attitudes to war, and occupation at will.
“The Russia-Georgia war is an important and painful part of our recent history. The National Library, at the Independence Hall from August 7 to August 17, opens a memorial album where citizens come in and record their memories or messages about war, occupation.This album or albums will be exhibited in the hall, as an important event of the era. We all look forward to the event,” says the National Library director-general Giorgi Kekelidze.
The National Parliamentary Library of Georgia is a governmental organization under the Parliament of Georgia. It is the main book depository of Georgia, as well as the most important cultural, educational, scientific, informational, and methodological center.
Eleven years ago, late on August 7, 2008, the conflict spiral between Russia and Georgia initially centered on Georgia’s enclave of Abkhazia, but the actual war broke out in and around the separatist region of South Ossetia. During the five-day conflict, 170 servicemen, 14 policemen, and 228 civilians from Georgia were killed and 1,747 wounded.
Various events are planned dedicated to the August War, including Keti Davlianidze’s Abkhazia. The exposition at the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts will display the following oil paintings: Bichvinta, Sokhumi Boulevard, Gagripshi, A View of Sokhumi and will be open from August 7 to August 15, 2019.
