Sokhumi Image on GEL Angers Abkhaz Side

Authorities in breakaway Abkhazia labeled “absurd” a proposal of President of the National Bank of Georgia Roman Gotsiridze to Abkhaz designers and painters to participate in a tender announced by Georgia for the design of a new 200 Georgian Lari (GEL) denomination banknote.
 
The reverse side of the new banknote should feature an image of the capital of breakaway Abkhazia, Sokhumi, whereas the front is to depict Niko Nikoladze, a 19th century Georgian writer and public figure

“The Union of Abkhaz Painters has not received any letter containing a proposal to participate in the tender, but even if so, Abkhaz painters will not participate in this tender,” said Abkhaz minister of culture Nugzar Logua on August 22, as quoted by Apsnypress news agency.

“It is absolutely unclear why the capital of one country should be depicted on the currency of another country. It is tantamount to the United States depicting Sukhumi or Moscow’s Kremlin on its dollar,” Chairman of the National Bank of Abkhazia Illarion Argun said. 
 
The Georgian National Bank announced a tender for the design of the new 200 Lari banknote on August 15. The deadline for submitting design proposals is September 20. Both Georgian and foreign artists/designers can participate in the competition.

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