Opening remarks by Oleg Bartsits, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, at the opening ceremony of the International Documentary Film Festival "RT. Doc: Time of Our Heroes"

Dear Mr. President, distinguished guests, organizers, participants, and filmmakers of the "RT. Doc: Time of Our Heroes" film festival.

I would like to welcome you warmly to the land of Abkhazia, to our capital, Sukhum.

I am confident that today Abkhazia is hosting a very important and significant event. This is a major international format, which has already taken place in many countries around the world. And today, this festival is our guest in Abkhazia. Present in the hall today are Abkhazia's leaders, led by the President, representatives of youth, students, the army, and, of course, the main heroes of today—veterans and participants of the special military operation, natives of Abkhazia, and the people who create the chronicles of our heroes: war correspondents, talented journalists who are here today: Ruslan Gusarov, Pavel Kukushkin, Semyon Pegov, our Kabardian sister, Inna Tanasheva—all those who, with their talent, courage, and energy, create an imperishable chronicle of today's heroic era. In the hall are our veterans, participants of the Special Military Operation, led by our heroic compatriot, Akhra Avidzba.

Today, Russia is waging an uncompromising struggle for a new, more just world order. And it is not alone in this struggle.

Small Abkhazia stands by its side, without any reservations, in deeds, not just words, as a true ally and a genuine friend. Volunteers from Abkhazia are fighting in the SVO zone, volunteers are working, and humanitarian missions are being carried out. Our doctors and talented journalists from Abkhazia have worked there for many years.

Yes, Abkhazia is suffering losses. The sons of the Abkhaz land, unfortunately, are giving their lives in the special military operation zone. We know each of them and remember each of them, paying tribute to their memory.

I think it was a very correct decision to hold this festival within the walls of Abkhaz State University. This is the audience for whom these films are primarily created: students, young people, and service members of the Abkhaz army. Of course, I am very grateful to Ekaterina Yakovleva, general producer of the RT project, who is present here. Doc: Time of Our Heroes" for showing our youth, our citizens, our compatriots today how important it is to be on the side of good, how important it is to be on the right side.

I'm addressing to our young compatriots. Over the course of two days, you will see many films about the special military operation, the lives of the people involved—our compatriots, the soldiers of the Piatnashka International Brigade and other units.

I want to tell you one thing: these films are not only and not primarily about war. Watch these films and you will see that they are films about kindness, compassion, selflessness, friendship, and love. Watch these films.
I want to thank all the co-organizers, of course, the Abkhaz State University, headed by Academician Aleko Alekseevich Gvaramia, and the entire organizing committee.

I want to say that this is very important at this moment, when we are together, when we profess the same values, when we have a common attitude toward good and evil, toward faith. And this underscores the unity, the allied, friendly spirit of interaction between Abkhazia and our ally, Russia. Thank you.