29 March 2019, 10:59
Nalchik residents react ambiguously to date for celebration of revival of Balkar people
On March 28, the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) held concerts and exhibitions dedicated to the restoration of the national autonomy of the Balkar people. Some residents of the republic interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe that the festivities should have been timed to the May 3, the anniversary of the return in 1957 of first deportees.
The organizers of the festivities prepared a big concert for townspeople in the Musical Theatre and a concert in the square in front of the "Pobeda" (Victory) Cinema; festivities were also held in the pedestrian section of Kabardinskaya Street.
People were celebrating despite the cold rainy weather. A lot of cars with flags drove across Nalchik, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.
During the World War II, in March 1944, a total of 37,713 Balkarians were deported to Central Asia. During the 18 days of travel in unequipped railway cars, 562 of them died. Only in 1957, the Balkarians were allowed to return to their homeland.
Such holidays help remember people's history, Arthur Baidaev, a resident of the Elbrus area, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Klara Zalikhanova, a resident of Tyrnyauz, disagreed with the date chosen for the holiday. "The Revival Day of the Balkar People is a wonderful holiday for our nation. But we would like to mark it not on March 28, but on May 3. It was on May 3, 1957, that the first echelon with our people returned to the republic from Central Asia. It is not clear why March 28 was chosen as the Revival Day of the Balkar People," she told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 28, 2019 at 11:32 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Lyudmila Maratova Source: CK correspondent
