21 May 2017, 13:45
Nalchik residents treat Circassian Memorial Day as strong factor for unity
In Nalchik, more than 2000 people took part in the procession held on the Circassian Memorial Day. According to residents of Nalchik, Circassians should maintain the unity, and the Circassian Memorial Day contributes to that.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Circassians mark the date of May 21 as the Day of Memory and Sorrow, and morning processions are held on that date. On May 21, 1864, the last battle of the Caucasian War took place.
The Caucasian War, which lasted from 1763 to 1864, put the Adyg peoples on the brink of complete extinction. After the war and the mass deportation of the Adygs to the Ottoman Empire, just a little more than 50,000 people remained at their homeland. Circassian organizations insist that the Russian authorities should make a decision to recognize the Circassian genocide during the Caucasian War.
In the evening of May 20, the mourning events were started near the monument "Tree of Life". Activists of Adyg public organizations have installed candles on the pedestal of the monument, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports. In total, the activists installed 101 candles to symbolize the years of the war.
Today, on May 21, at 10:00 a.m., a procession began in Lenin Avenue in Nalchik. According to organizers of the event, it was attended by more than 2000 people. In their hands, participants of the procession were carrying Adyg flags.
In his conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, activist Beslan Khagazhei has noted "an increase the number of young people showing interest in their history." "The nation is being consolidated, and people establish relations with their compatriots abroad. The Circassian Memorial Day contributes to that," said Beslan Khagazhei.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Lyudmila Maratova Source: CK correspondent
