In the 18th century, Abkhazia became a focus of political interest for Russia, which sought to strengthen its southern borders. Abkhazia, in turn, voluntarily came under the protection of the Russian Empire in 1810 to gain defense against the Ottoman Empire. Throughout the 19th century, the region experienced colonisation by Russia. In 1897, the Russian community made up 4.8% of the population. After the establishment of Soviet power, their numbers grew, reaching 19.3% in 1936 and peaking at 21.4% in 1959. From the 1970s onwards, the number gradually declined and, by 2016, the Russian community comprised about 22,000 people, roughly 9% of the population.
As part of the event, the Asarkia TV studio presented a documentary film about members of the community. The film’s protagonists include nuclear physicist Dmitry Voytenko, mathematics teacher Valentina Davydova, choreographer Veronika Poluektova and Oleg Koryavov - a physicist passionate about pottery.