Day of the State Flag of the Republic of Abkhazia (23/07)

On June 3, 2005, President of Abkhazia Sergei Bagapsh signed the Law —On Amendments and Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Abkhazia —On Memorable and Festive Days in the Republic of Abkhazia«, adopted by the People's Assembly « Parliament »». Since that time, July 23 has been declared the Day of the State Flag of the Republic of Abkhazia.

The modern state flag of the Republic of Abkhazia was approved by the session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia on July 23, 1992 in the city of Akua (Sukhum), after the decision was made to terminate the Constitution of the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of 1978 and restore the Constitution of the SSR of Abkhazia of 1925.

Author of the flag — artist Valery Gamgia.

The modern flag of the Republic of Abkhazia symbolizes the main stages of the development of statehood of the Abkhaz people — of one of the oldest indigenous ethnic groups of the Caucasus.

The purple flag with a white palm fluttered in the middle centuries over the city of Sebastopolis (aka San Sebastian and ancient Dioscuria, founded by the ancient Greeks in the 6th-5th centuries BC), on the site of which is the current capital of Abkhazia —, the city of Sukhum. An open white palm on a red background — is a symbol of Abkhazian statehood, which was formed during the Kingdom of Abkhazia (8—10th century) and dates back 12 centuries. It means an open, friendly welcome to guests.

The national flag of the Republic of Abkhazia is a banner along the length of which there are seven alternating stripes of green and white equal width: four green and three white stripes. White color symbolizes spirituality, green (aquamarine) — youth and life.

Seven white five-pointed stars above the palm — are the seven main regions of historical Abkhazia: Sadzen (Dzhigetia), Bzyp, Gumaa, Abzhua, Samurzakan, Dal-Tsabal, Pskhuy-Aibga. In addition, the number «seven» for Abkhazians, as for many peoples, is sacred and widely represented in their religion, mythology and traditional culture.

In honor of the holiday, solemn and mass events are held in the capital of the Republic, the city of Sukhum, with the participation of top officials of the state.

1049