New President Elected to Lead the Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centres in Türkiye
Türkiye is home to the world’s largest Abkhaz diaspora, numbering around half a million people.
DUZCE / TÜRKİYE — The Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centres in Türkiye (ABHAZFED) has elected a new president during its 9th Congress, held on 23 November in Düzce. Delegates reviewed a comprehensive report on the organisation’s recent work before proceeding to a key leadership vote.
Two candidates stood for the presidency: Elif Marshan and Yavuz Atrishba. In the ballot, a majority of the 333 delegates voted for Yavuz Atrishba, a veteran of the 1992–1993 Georgian–Abkhaz War (Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia), electing him as the Federation’s new president.
Abkhazia’s President, Badra Gunba, telephoned Atrishba to congratulate him on his election, extending his best wishes for the term ahead. “When Abkhazia was in danger, you stood by your brothers and defended your homeland with arms,” the President said. “I am confident that you will achieve great success as President of the Federation of Abkhaz Associations.”
President Gunba also spoke with the other candidate, Elif Tapsh (Marşan), thanking her for her service and commitment. “The Abkhazians living in Abkhazia, in Türkiye, and in other countries are one people,” he stressed. “We work shoulder to shoulder for the development of the country and the preservation of our language and national identity.” He extended an invitation to both Atrishba and Marşan to visit Abkhazia.
New President Yavuz Atrishba (centre) with members of the Executive Board
In a separate statement, Abkhazia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Bartsits, congratulated Yavuz Atrishba on assuming the presidency of ABHAZFED. He described Atrishba’s election as a reflection of his “authority, energy, and dedication” to preserving Abkhaz culture, language, and traditions abroad. The minister highlighted Atrishba’s role in the defence of Abkhazia during the 1992–1993 war and expressed confidence in his ability to deliver meaningful results in this new position.
Bartsits praised the ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federation, noting that he expects ABHAZFED, together with the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of Abkhazia in Türkiye, to implement significant initiatives for the benefit of the Abkhaz diaspora. He wished Atrishba success and further accomplishments in his new role.
The Federation of Abkhazian Cultural Centres plays a vital role in Türkiye, comprising 21 distinct cultural centres. These centres aim to bring together members of the Abkhaz-Abazian diaspora, fostering the preservation of their ethno-cultural identity and maintaining connections with their historical homeland.
Türkiye, as Abkhazia's second largest trade partner, also hosts the world's largest Abkhaz diaspora, estimated at around 500,000 individuals.