Publication:  N2 / Review period: April-June, 2021 /Author: Ani Zirakashvili

Review of Russia’s Soft Power in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region is being prepared within the framework of the project - Roadmap to the Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The purpose of the publication is to review important developments related to Russia's soft power in these regions and activities that the Kremlin uses to strengthen its influence in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. The review is a quarterly publication and will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the Kremlin’s policy in the occupied regions of Georgia.

Russia’s Soft Power in Abkhazia

Education

• In total, 14 entrants from Abkhazia expressed interest to study at the universities of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. Entrance exams for the applicants ended on May 19. This year, only ten places were allocated for Abkhaz students.

Culture

• Two Abkhazian ensembles took part in the Future of Russia festival-competition (April 26-May 2).The Afyrtyn children's choreographic ensemble won the National Prize in Culture and Arts. The Samurzakan children's folklore ensemble won the main prize in the National Vocal nomination.
• On June 7, a solemn event dedicated to the birth (June 6) of the Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin was held in Sokhumi. Schoolchildren of the Sokhumi N2 secondary school decorated the statue of Pushkin with flowers, recited his poems, and later, staged performances. The Russian Ambassador, Aleksey Dvinianin, expressed gratitude for the popularization of the Russian language and stressed the need to learn the Abkhaz language.

Activities of Non-Governmental Organizations

• A roundtable of the Public Headquarters in support of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, was held on April 21. Currently, the Headquarters unites 30 organizations. As a result of the meeting, a decision was made to create the Abkhazia and Russia - Strategic Union public platform. The aim of the platform will be to develop various initiatives in order to bring Abkhazia and Russia even closer to each other in the fields of education, culture, etc.

Courage Lesson at the “Embassy” of the Russian Federation. Source:  sputnik-abkhazia.info

Celebrating Historical Dates

• A screening of Soviet films dedicated to Victory Day (May 9) was organized at the “National” Library of Abkhazia. The screening of films about the Great Patriotic War was aimed at raising awareness about Victory Day among the young generation. The event took place on April 28 - May 7. The Rossotrudnichestvo office in Abkhazia was among the event organizers.
• The Immortal Regiment procession was held in Sokhumi, on May 9. Over 40 people took part in the event, including the “President,” Aslan Bzhania, the Russian “Ambassador,” Aleksey Dvinianin, the Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo office, Vadim Chekha, and others. On the same day, a parade dedicated to Victory Day was held with the participation of more than 607 people.
• On June 21, on the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, a Candle of Memory action was held. On the same day, a Lesson of Courage was conducted for schoolchildren, as well as a thematic photo exhibition and a film screening were organized. The event was held with the support of the Russian “Embassy”, the Rossotrudnichestvo office, and the Museum of Combat Glory.
• June 21 marked the 27th anniversary of the launch of peacekeeping operation. Military servicemen of the 7th military base of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Defense of Abkhazia honored a minute of silence in memory of the “peacekeepers” who died for Abkhazia in 1994-2008 and laid flowers at their memorial.

Russia’s Soft Power in the Tskhinvali Region

Education

• Military servicemen of the de facto Ministry of Defense held a Lesson of Courage for schoolchildren of the Tskhinvali N6 public school. The participants of the event discussed the structure of the de facto Ministry of Defense, the need to defend the “homeland,” the importance of “independence,” etc.
• On April 13, the North Caucasus Federal University and  the A. Tibilov State University signed another cooperation agreement. The agreement envisages organizing joint educational conferences, training courses for public servants, etc. on April 15, through the mediation of the North Caucasus Federal University, it was decided to establish a military department at the Tibilov State University.
• On May 17, the registration started for admission to Russian military higher schools. Applicants were to choose from 16 schools. The registration ended on May 21. The entrants underwent medical examination and psychological testing, as well as passed physical fitness standards on June 12. Preference was given to children of military servicemen, students of the Cadet School and children of military servicemen who were killed in the August 2008 war.
• Entrance exams for applicants to universities of the Russian law enforcement agency took place on May 19. This year, universities of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs allocated 20 places for entrants from the Tskhinvali region. A total of 40 applicants participated in the competition. Finally, 25 entrants were selected. They will start studying at a desired university from the end of August.
• On May 20, the “Ambassador” of the region to Russia met with the Rector of the Institute of World Civilizations. The parties discussed the issues of cooperation. Znaur Gasiev supported an initiative of signing a joint agreement, which was voiced during the meeting.
• On June 22, a scientific-practical conference dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War was held at the A. Tibilov State University. The Rector of the university, Vadim Tedeev, the Russian “Ambassador,” Marat Kulakhmetov, the Chairman of the Communist Party of the region, Stanislav Kochiev, and others participated in the conference.

A. Tibilov State University Hosts a Scientific-Practical Conference Dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Source:  rso.rs.gov.ru

Culture

• The K. Khetagurov “State” Drama Theatre signed a cooperation agreement with the Moscow Higher School of Performing Arts. A troupe of the theatre was on tour in Moscow in early April. During the tour, the theatre management met with representatives of the Moscow Theatre and various educational institutions and discussed the prospects for the development of cultural ties between the Russian Federation and the Tskhinvali region.
• On May 20, the My Beloved Russia festival of Russian culture ended in the Tskhinvali region. A total of 80 people, children, students, and children of employees of the Russian “Embassy” in the region participated in the event. The festival participants sang Russian songs, recited Russian poems, etc. The Rossotrudnichestvo office was among the festival organizers.
• On May 24, the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture was marked in the Tskhinvali region. The event was held at the A. Tibilov so-called State University of South Ossetia. The holiday is celebrated annually in the Russian Federation and other countries and is aimed at consolidating Slavic peoples and protecting their cultural heritage.
• On June 4, Tskhinvali celebrated the International Day of the Russian Language and the 222nd anniversary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. Schoolchildren of the N6 secondary school staged performances, read Pushkin’s poems. The ceremony was attended by Sergey Skvortsov, the Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo office in the Tskhinvali region, Marat Kulakhmetov, the Russia's “Ambassador” to the region, and others. Pushkin's birthday has been celebrated in the Tskhinvali region since 2011.
• The ROSSY public organization of the Russian population in the Tskhinvali region organized a master class on the Golden Khokhloma Russian traditional wood-painting technique. The participants of the event familiarized themselves with the history of the painting techniques, its main types and tried to depict some artistic motives.

Master Class on the Golden Khokhloma Russian Traditional Wood-Painting Technique at the Rossotrudnichestvo Office. Source:  rso.rs.gov.ru

Celebrating Historical Dates

• On April 12, Cosmonautics Day was celebrated in Tskhinvali. A ceremony was held in the Tskhinvali N12 schoolyard, where a bust of the Soviet astronaut, Yuri Gagarin, was unveiled and graffiti on the school wall was presented. The project was implemented with the support of the Rossotrudnichestvo office and the Russian “Embassy” in the region.
• The Victory Dictate dedicated to Victory Day was held on April 29 to test knowledge about the Great Patriotic War. The literary evening - Time Passes, Memories Remain with Us, was held on April 30. During the evening, participants talked about the events of the war and read thematic poems. The event was attended by Sergey Skvortsov.
• On May 5-6, the Russian folk music and dance ensemble Yarmarka gave concerts dedicated to the 76th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The events were organized by the Rossotrudnichestvo office. The Saint George Ribbon action was also held in early May, during which volunteers distributed up to a thousand ribbons to the action participants. The United Alania, the youth wing of the Coordinating Council of Organizations of Russian Compatriots (КСОРС) participated in the event.
• On May 19, the 99th anniversary of the establishment of the Vladimir Lenin All-Union Pioneer Organization was celebrated at the Tskhinvali N5 school. During the event, members of the organization talked about the history of pioneers and read thematic poems. May 19 (Young Pioneers Day) was one of the most important holidays in the former USSR.
• The Tskhinvali Albion gymnasium hosted an event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. The schoolchildren staged the Requiem theatrical performance. The event was organized by the de facto Ministries of Culture and Education. Among those present were Anatoly Bibilov, Marat Kulakhmetov, representatives of the de facto government and others.
• The Crystal Source film festival was dedicated to Russia Day.  The festival was organized by the Rossotrudnichestvo office in the region and the Coordinating Council of Organizations of Russian Compatriots, as well as the “Ministry” of Culture. “With this festival, Russia once again showed its support to South Ossetia in all spheres,” said Sergey Skvortsov. On June 11, within the festival, Soviet-era animated films were screened.
• An exhibition dedicated to Russia Day was held on June 12. The de facto “President,” Anatoly Bibilov, attended the event. According to Bibilov, “historical past and spiritual kinship connects South Ossetia and Russia.” Russia Day is declared as the “state” holiday in the Tskhinvali region.
• An event dedicated to Russia Day was held at the Tskhinvali Children's Library. The Director of the library noted that “South Ossetia will always be grateful to Russia, as the latter protected the Ossetian people from the Georgian aggressors in August 2008.” For his part, Bibilov handed over to the library matryoshkas, as well as children's literature in Ossetian and Russian languages.

Other Events

• On May 21, the Memorial Complex to the Defenders of the Fatherland was opened in Tskhinvali. The complex is dedicated to all those who died defending the region in 1989-2008. Anatoly Bibilov and  Marat Kulakhmetov were among the event attendees. In his speech, Bibilov expressed his gratitude to Russia, “thanks to which” peace was established in the region.

Russia’s soft power is an instrument of foreign policy, actively used by the Kremlin to increase its influence abroad, including in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. Offices of the Federal Agency for CIS, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs ensure the implementation of Russia’s soft power policy in the occupied regions of Georgia. Vadim Chekha is the Head of the Agency office in Abkhazia and Sergey Skvortsov – the Head of the Agency office in the Tskhinvali region.