20:54, 28 March 2015

In Kabardino-Balkaria, local residents pay tribute to victims of deportation of Balkars

The elders of the village of Khasanya at the festive events on the Day of Revival of the Balkar people. KBR, March 28, 2015. Photo by Lyudmila Maratova for the "Caucasian Knot"

Today, the festive events dedicated to the revival of the Balkar people have taken place in Kabardino-Balkaria. Residents of the village of Khasanya paid tribute to victims of the deportation of the Balkars.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the holiday was established in 1994 by the decree of Valery Kokov, the then president of Kabardino-Balkaria. The holiday is associated with the events of 1944 that were tragic for the republic.

Mass deportation of Balkars took place on March 8, 1944. At least 37,713 Balkars were brought to places of settlement in Central Asia. Of the total number of people deported, 52% were children, 30% women, and 18% men. In 1957, the Balkars were allowed to return to their homeland after 13 years of exile. On March 28, 1957, the public authorities announced the decision on the restoration of the nationality of the Balkar people.

The Palace of Culture of the village of Khasanya began the holiday with a celebratory dinner. People cooked pilaf in the yard of the Palace of Culture and invited all the guests, including refugees from Ukraine, to taste their cooking.

The festive events were also held in other towns of the republic. Kabardino-Balkaria also hosted a motorally, concerts, sporting events, and festivities.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.

Author: Lyudmila Maratova

Source: CK correspondent