The Aftermath of War
“Metallurg” sanatorium, Tskhatlubo, Georgia

Tskhaltubo, located in western Georgia, was once a popular destination for Soviet elites seeking rest in its 19 sanatoriums and complexes with therapeutic baths, as well as the branch of the research institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tskhaltubo's sanatoriums and resorts fell into disrepair, and the city became a shadow of its former self.

However, in the early 1990s, the city saw an influx of refugees from Abkhazia, where a separatist conflict had erupted. Tskhaltubo offered a haven for those fleeing the violence, and many families settled in the abandoned sanatoriums.

Today, the "Metallurg" sanatorium is home to around 60 families, who have made the best of the difficult conditions. The sanatorium's once-grand halls and sprawling grounds now serve as communal living spaces and playgrounds for children, while the therapeutic baths and health facilities lay dormant and unused.

The city's presence as a refuge for those displaced by conflict it is a poignant illustration of how wars only lead to more wars, and how the consequences of violence can last for generations. It is essential that communities affected by conflict receive the support they need to rebuild their lives and heal from the trauma of war, and that we work together to prevent future conflicts and promote peace.