During the funeral events, Vice President of Abkhazia Beslan Bigvava expressed the condolences of President Badra Gunba.

The message of condolences reads:

"Dear Murat Karalbievich, dear Adyghe brothers! 

The news of the death of Iskhak Shumafovich Mashbash was received with deep pain in Abkhazia.

An entire era has passed. The Adyghe world has lost a great writer, poet, thinker and a man who devoted his life to serving his native people and literature. But Abkhazia, along with Adygea and the entire Adyghe world, is grieving today. For our people, the passing of Ishaq Mashbash is also a great and irreparable loss.

Iskhak Shumafovich was an outstanding representative of Adyghe literature, a folk writer of Adygeya and a Folk Writer of Abkhazia, an academician of the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia. It is especially dear to us that his work and many years of activity were inextricably linked with Abkhazia, its history, culture and people.

With his literary word, Iskhak Mashbash told a story, including our common story, about the destinies of the peoples of the Caucasus, their tragedies, trials and spiritual kinship. His works, translated into many languages of the world, went far beyond the national literature and became part of the great cultural heritage of the Caucasus.

Abkhazia occupied a special place in his creative life. It is significant that the historical work of the National poet of Abkhazia Bagrat Vasilyevich Shinkuba "The Last of the Departed" prompted Iskhak Mashbash to create the novel "Millstones". This is how the commonality of the historical destinies of our peoples was reflected in the literature of two outstanding writers.

Iskhak Mashbash left behind a huge literary legacy that will live in the hearts of readers for many years to come. His books will remind of a man who, with his talent, sought to preserve the historical memory, culture and spiritual values of his people.

We bow to the blessed memory of Iskhak Shumafovich Mashbash, a great writer, a wise man and a faithful friend of Abkhazia.

I express my deep and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Iskhak Shumafovich, his friends, colleagues, the literary community, and the entire people of fraternal Adygea.

In this difficult hour, I share your pain and sorrow. The bright memory of Iskhak Mashbash will forever remain in our hearts."