Day: July 15, 2026

Abkhazia‘s Education Ministry has criticised the pro-government United Abkhazia party for hosting a presentation of a new Abkhaz language textbook at its headquarters.

The new fourth-grade textbook is intended for schools where Abkhaz is not the language of instruction. According to its author, Ada Kvarchelia, it is effectively a guide to “learning the Abkhaz language together”.

Kvarchelia is a former deputy education minister. She is now deputy chair of the United Abkhazia party and a member of the Public Chamber.

“The main goal of this textbook is to help children see the Abkhaz language not as a school subject, but as a living means of communication. Its bilingual format makes it suitable for pupils in non-Abkhaz schools and helps children of different ethnic backgrounds learn the language,” she said.

Abkhazia president says not all MPs need to speak Abkhaz

The proposal specifically concerns parliamentary candidates who are not ethnic Abkhaz.

The textbook presentation took place amid ongoing debate in Abkhazia over the state of the Abkhaz language and why it has failed to become the dominant language, as envisaged by the constitution, while Russian continues to prevail.

Experts have often cited the lack of modern teaching methods and up-to-date textbooks as one of the reasons. Against that backdrop, the presentation of the new textbook appeared to be a politically advantageous move. However, the Education Ministry criticised the initiative.

In particular, the ministry questioned the choice of venue, arguing that presentations of this kind should take place only in educational and academic institutions.

Why is Abkhaz-language requirement for parliamentary candidates sparking controversy?

The next parliamentary elections, scheduled for March 2027, will be held under the new rules, even though key aspects of how they will be implemented have yet to be defined.

The ministry also said that it alone has the authority to recommend teaching materials for use in Abkhaz schools.

It reminded the textbook’s authors and publishers that they must strictly follow the established procedures. Under the rules, textbooks must first undergo mandatory testing in pilot classes. Only after successful trials can the ministry’s board consider approving them for use in schools.

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‘Wrong’ Abkhaz language textbook

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Concerts of the Russian pop duo t.A.T.u. and Ukrainian-Russian singer Ani Lorak, scheduled to take place in Georgia’s Black Sea city of Batumi on August 1 and August 14, respectively, have been canceled, Russia’s state news agency TASS reported.

TASS said the cancellations were confirmed by the administration of the Batumi Tennis Courts, where the performances were due to be held, as well as by ticketing platform Biletebi.ge and the [Adjara] Department of Tourism, adding that no official reason for the cancellations has been announced.

However, the cancellations come amid broader discontent among part of Georgians over artists who either support the Kremlin’s policies, including its full-scale war against Ukraine, or have remained silent about them, performing in Georgia. Another t.A.T.u. concert previously scheduled to take place in Georgia in January 2026 was likewise canceled without an official explanation.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian-born Karolina Kuiek, known as Ani Lorak, who has made a career in Russia, has faced criticism for failing to publicly condemn Moscow’s actions. In November 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a National Security and Defense Council decision stripping Lorak of the honorary title of “Honored Artist of Ukraine” as part of measures targeting individuals deemed to have “betrayed Ukraine.”

T.A.T.u., the pop duo that rose to international fame with its daring, queer-themed image and songs, has also faced criticism in recent years for remaining silent about Moscow’s policies, continuing to perform in Russia, and staging a reunion concert in 2025 in Russian-occupied Crimea.

In 2021, before the duo officially reunited, then former member Yulia Volkova ran in the primaries of United Russia, the Russian ruling party, in Russia’s Ivanovo region ahead of the State Duma elections. Volkova publicly endorsed the party, recorded a campaign video, but lost the primary and was not included on its final candidate list.

In a separate development, a concert by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, scheduled for July 16 at the Rustavi International Motorpark, was also canceled. Ticketing platform Biletebi.ge reportedly said the performance was canceled “at the artist’s request,” and that refunds would be issued. No further explanation was provided.

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