I.G. Papaskir National Library of the Republic of Abkhazia

Overview

The I.G. Papaskir National Library of the Republic of Abkhazia is the principal library institution of Abkhazia, located in Sukhumi (Sukhum). It serves as the country's main center for reading, research, and the preservation of cultural and literary heritage. The library is named after I.G. Papaskir, a notable figure in Abkhazian cultural history.

History and Founding

The national library was founded in 1921, shortly after Abkhazia's incorporation into the Soviet system. Before the Georgian-Abkhazian war of 1992–1993, Abkhazia had 421 functioning libraries with a collective stock of approximately 7.5 million books. The conflict was catastrophic for the library system: by the war's end in 1993, only five libraries had survived. The National Library itself lost its entire collection of rare and valuable editions—approximately 6,000 volumes—as well as the card catalogues of these lost works. Periodicals from 1920 to 1935 were destroyed, and an estimated 35–40% of the total stock was burned.

Recovery and Current Status

Following the war, the library embarked on a painstaking process of rebuilding its collections. Director Boris Shalikovich Cholaria, an Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Abkhazia, has led efforts to modernize and expand services, including training staff in book conservation and restoration in cooperation with Russian library institutions. The library is pursuing the introduction of a 'Model Library' concept—combining traditional library services with leisure and cultural activities—in partnership with Russia's Ministry of Culture.

Access and Usage

The library is open Monday through Friday, 9:00–18:00. It is located at Lakoba Street 111, Sukhumi, Abkhazia. The institution's website is accessible at nl-ra.ru.