World Refugee Day in Pankisi Valley

The United Nations Association of Georgia under the project agreement with UNHCR carried out a number of activities for the celebration of the World Refugee Day on 20 June 2005 in the Pankisi Gorge, where Chechen refugees are settled. The celebration of this special day included various activities dedicated to the children.
 

The major celebration events were organized in the Duisi Theatron (outdoor amphitheatre) in the Pankisi Gorge. Chechen refugees and local children were the focus of WRD celebration agenda. The Griboedov Theatre from Tbilisi performed a special program including different art sketches. 

Throughout the day, several festive events took place in the outdoor amphitheatre, the highlight being the excellent dancing and singing by Chechen and local Kist children. Following the award presentations where competitions winners received their prizes, special balloons with a WRD logo were distributed throughout the camp. 

This event was covered by various media sources. Articles were printed in newspapers: “24 Hours” and “Georgia Today,” “Komsomolskaya Pravda,” Journal “Emigrants”. TV company “1st Channel Public Broadcast“ have showed the documentary film “Global Overview 2005“ (this film was translated into Georgian).

Celebration of the World Refugee Day on 20 June 2003 has been supported by the UNHCR BO Tbilisi, UNA-Georgia, Norwegian Refugee Council, Ministry of Georgia for Refugees and Accommodation, GCRT and Technical Assistance Georgia and “Kakheti.”