Tamuna Shonia

Contributor

Stories by the Author

Ukraine Crisis Imperils Abkhazia

Experts believe that Moscow is now aiming to divert resources, given the heavy costs of its ongoing invasion.

9 May 22

After thousands of computers used to mine cryptocurrency overwhelmed the power grid in Georgia’s mountainous region of Svaneti at the height of winter, 200 residents gathered in the medieval church of St. George in Mestia, Svaneti's main centre, to take an oath on the ancient icon of the saint that they would never mine cryptocurrencies. © IWPR

Crypto Mining Overtakes Georgian Power Grid

Svaneti residents turned to ancient rituals to fight electricity shortages caused by virtual currencies.

24 Mar 22

Gia Kharchilava, the UNM candidate who triumphed in Tsalenjikha, on a campaign trail in the lead up to the elections. © Gia Kharchilava's Press Office

Georgia’s Last Opposition Stronghold

With the United National Movement at the helm, the region is now a test for local governance.

11 Feb 22

A school in the Gali region of Abkhazia, where the de-facto government recently made the decision to ban Georgian as the language of instruction, meaning that Georgian students there will now have to learn their native tongue as a foreign language. © IWPR

Abkhazia: Georgian Now Only Taught as a Foreign Language

All students have to learn in Russian, in a move condemned as “an obvious manifestation of racial discrimination”.

3 Nov 21

Abandoned houses on Chanba Street, Sokhumi. © Facebook page Sukhumi/სოხუმი/Сухуми/Аҟәа

Abkhazia Braced for Russian Property Boom

Proposed legislation in the breakaway republic would open up real estate sales to foreigners.

15 Jun 21

Georgia: Risking All to Cross the Enguri

Pandemic restrictions mean that many face arrest or serious harm if they try to cross into Tbilisi-controlled territory.

30 Apr 21

Eka Danelia in her greenhouse. © Tamuna Shonia

Georgia: Female Farmers Dig Deep

A small but growing number of women are breaking into the male-dominated field of agriculture.

8 Mar 21

A fire rages on a nut plantation in the village of Lower Barghebi, one of the hardest hit areas by the fires in Abkhazia.

Wildfire Sweeps Abkhazian Villages

Local Georgians feel they have been abandoned to face disaster alone.

30 Jan 21

The Enguri Dam. (Photo: Tamuna Shonia)

Abkhazia Faces Energy Shortages

Maintenance of shared facility could lead to power cuts next year.

2 Dec 20

The Otobaia-Orsantia Bridge, where Otar Jobava's corpse was found. (Photo: Tamuna Shonia)

Georgia: Perils of the Enguri Crossing

With the checkpoint closed, some residents of Abkhazia are risking their lives to access services.

16 Sep 20

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