The National Center for Contemporary Art in Sukhumi has been devastated by a fire, resulting in the destruction of over 4000 works of art, according to Apsnypress. The Minister of Culture, Dinar Smir, confirmed that everything was lost in the blaze, including the funds of the National Art Gallery which housed the artworks on the second floor of the Central Exhibition Hall. This includes the irreplaceable creations of Alexander Chachba-Sherwasia, who alone had over 300 highly productive works. Smir expressed his deep sorrow, recognizing this as an irreparable loss for Abkhazia’s national culture.

The fire alarm was raised at 03:38 and the Emergency Situations Ministry quickly mobilized 11 fire brigades from Sukhumi, Gudauta, Gagra, and Ochamchira. Their swift response partially extinguished the fire by morning, but the damage had already been done.

This tragic event has shocked the art community and devastated the cultural heritage of Abkhazia. The loss of over 4000 works of art, including the significant contributions of Alexander Chachba-Sherwasia, is unquestionably a monumental setback for the nation’s artistic landscape. The National Center for Contemporary Art stood as a symbol of creativity and expression, and its destruction will be deeply felt within the art world and beyond.

Efforts will now shift towards investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the extent of the damage. The loss of such a substantial collection of artwork will undoubtedly have a profound impact on future exhibitions and artistic endeavors in Abkhazia, posing a significant challenge for the cultural sector.