MEDIA ADVISORY

November 7, 2017

VICTORIA, BC – The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) will welcome His Excellency Konstantine Kavtaradze, Ambassador of Georgia to Canada, for an on-site ribbon-cutting ceremony at Abkhazi Garden on November 10, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. to recognize the Georgian connection to Abkhazi Garden and officially reveal the new entrance gate.

“Abkhazi Garden in Victoria bears the name of Nicholas Abkhazi, representative of the old noble Georgian family, whose story is closely linked to the history of Georgia,” said His Excellency Konstantine Kavtaradze. “In 1918, after almost 100 years of absence from the political map, Georgia – one of the ancient kingdoms and oldest Christian countries in the world, regained its independence and started its journey to build the new democratic Republic. Father of Nicholas Abkhazi, Major General Konstantin Abkhazi was one of the founding fathers of this Republic. Young Nicholas was involved in the process of transforming the country into a European liberal democracy; it was fascinating for him to see how Georgia was rejoining European family of nations. He was there in 1921 when this transformation was brutally interrupted by the military invasion from the north. In 1923 Konstantin Abkhazi was prosecuted and shot by Bolsheviks for his love and devotion to his homeland. Nicholas and his mother Elena were forced to flee Georgia. After years of hardship in Europe Nicholas found refuge in Canada. When living in Georgia, his dream was to build his own house on the land of his ancestors, but finally, after reunion with his beloved wife Marjorie (“Peggy”) Pemberton-Carter, he found his new home in Victoria, British Columbia. They transformed this rocky piece of land into a beautiful garden known as Abkhazi Garden. By saving and preserving this piece of land residents of Victoria and TLC preserved part of common Georgian-Canadian heritage, they preserved memory of the Nicolas and Peggy Abkhazi.

“To recognize the Georgian connection to Abkhazi Garden and to express our appreciation for TLC, which saved, preserved and developed this Garden, it would be my pleasure and privilege to visit Victoria and meet those individuals who contributed to the success of the Garden.”

EVENT DETAILS

Date/Time: Friday, November 10, 2017 2:00 p.m.
Location: Abkhazi Garden, 1964 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC

His Excellency Konstantine Kavtaradze, Ambassador of Georgia to Canada, and Cathy Armstrong, TLC Executive Director, will both say a few words about Abkhazi Garden. TLC Board members, volunteers and donors will join the celebration.

Following the outdoor ceremony members of the press are welcome to attend a reception with TLC donors and volunteers at 6:00 p.m. at the Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden. Space is limited. Please RSVP to admin@conservancy.bc.ca.

About Abkhazi Garden

A heritage home and community garden, Abkhazi Garden was created by Prince Nicholas and Princess Marjorie (Peggy) Abkhazi in 1946. This was the year they married and settled in Victoria, after living separate lives touched by both privilege and tragedy. They immediately began to develop their one-acre property, and continued to maintain and improve the garden throughout their lives together. After their deaths the Abkhazi Garden changed hands and in February 2000, with community support, TLC purchased the property to save it from becoming a townhouse development.

Located at 1964 Fairfield Road, Abkhazi Garden is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday throughout the fall and winter, and is open daily from April 1 to September 30. Admission to the garden is by donation.

About The Land Conservancy of BC

TLC is a non-profit, charitable Land Trust working throughout British Columbia. TLC’s primary mandate is to benefit the community by protecting habitat for natural communities of plants and animals. Founded in 1997, TLC is membership-based and governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors. TLC relies on a strong membership and volunteer base to help maintain its operations.

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Media contact:

Cathy Armstrong
TLC Executive Director
Office: (250) 479-8053
Cell: (250) 588-4945