115th anniversary of the well-known Abkhaz scientist, poet and public figure Omar Beiguaa.

This year, a well-known Abkhaz scientist, poet, public figure and holder of the first degree order "Akhdz-Apsha" Omar B. Beiguaa would have turned 115 years old.

In this connection, the State Commission on preparation of events dedicated to Omar Beiguaa, headed by the Prime Minister Artur Mikvabiya was established. The commission is composed of the President of the International Fund “Apsny" Sener Gogua and head of the "Apsuara" Committee Oktay Chkotua.

Omar B.Beiguaa was born on July 1, 1901 in Turkey, in Efteniya village. His father Bajrami and mother Mkyd Shamba were among those who survived under the foreign sky. Who knows what would be the fate of the scientist Omar Beiguaa, whether he was destined to become a poet and educator or not, if he wasn’t born in a family of Abkhazian Muhajirs.

He was awarded the highest order of the Republic of Abkhazia "Akhdz-Apsha" posthumously, and on the 3 October 2013 the Museum of History of Abkhazians living abroad named after Omar Beiguaa was opened in Sukhum. The museum contains historical materials and documents of Abkhaz diaspora – the period of XV-XXI centuries. There is a separate room of Omar Beiguaa. The works of Omar Beiguaa, personal belongings, clothes and flag are exhibited in the hall.

"Despite the difference in age, I was personally acquainted with Omar Beiguaa, visited his home. We can say that the name of Omar Beiguaa for Abkhaz diaspora means roughly the same as the name of the founder of Abkhaz literature Dmitry Gulia for local Abkhazians. He worked unceasingly in studying the history and culture of our people. His writings on the Abkhaz mythology, language, ethnography contributed to the preservation of our national identity in the Diaspora. In his works, he put forward a number of hypotheses-the evidence of the ancient origin of the Abkhazian people and its language. I am still re-reading works of Omar Beiguaa with great interest and each time discover something new. He was an outstanding personality, who loved his people, Apsuara and Abkhazian language deeply.

"If you want to explore the history of any people, you should do it with help of the native language, and not archeology. Every time when I am studying Abkhaz language, I make new discoveries, and each time I am convinced of the antiquity of its origin "- said Omar Beiguaa.

Omar Beiguaa is alive today for us, as we read his works, his words are guiding for us "- said Oktay Chkotua.

"We can say that people were looking to Omar Beiguaa as to God, as he was a bridge between the Abkhazians living abroad and Abkhazians living in their historical homeland. He began studying the history and culture of his people-Apsuara since he was very young. In October 1975, the first group of Turkish Abkhazians visited Abkhazia. Omar Beiguaa was among them. And since then, he stepped on the land of his ancestors, looking into the eyes of his compatriots; Omar Beiguaa with even greater force was glorifying his homeland, not for a single moment he stopped thinking about it. The younger generation must learn the heritage of Omar Beiguaa and always remember him "- said Sener Gogua.

Omar Beiguaa has been a guiding light for Abkhazians living outside their historic homeland. Thanks to him, they haven’t lost their national identity, his contribution to the history and culture of the Abkhaz people is invaluable.

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