The Georgian exodus from Abkhazia

In September 1993, the fall of Sukhumi—the capital of Abkhazia—triggered one of the most harrowing refugee exoduses in modern European history. As separatist forces seized control of the region, tens of thousands of ethnic Georgians fled in desperation, escaping through treacherous mountain passes in freezing conditions. Guramo Disharia, a Georgian poet from Sukhumi, recounts surviving a two-day trek across the Caucasus at altitudes over 2,800 meters, where hypoxia, frostbite, and exhaustion claimed hundreds. He witnessed people collapsing and dying mid-stride, including a woman carrying her dead child and a couple who died side by side. His survival was fueled by a vow to document the truth of war’s brutality. Today, Abkhazia remains a self-governing territory backed by Russia, though internationally recognized as part of Georgia. Disharia’s memoir, *The Path of the Persecuted*, stands as a testament to the human cost of conflict and the resilience of memory. This episode of *Witness History* delivers a visceral, first-person account of war’s psychological and physical toll, emphasizing how trauma reshapes identity and purpose. Disharia’s transformation from poet to chronicler of survival underscores the lasting impact of displacement. The story also reveals how geopolitical realities often diverge from international recognition—Abkhazia’s de facto independence persists despite Georgia’s claims.