21 September 2019, 11:38
Adyg Day in Nalchik brings together Circassians from Middle East and Europe
In the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), the celebration of the Circassian (Adyg) Day is accompanied by concerts of folk and student groups. Circassians from five regions of Southern Russia, as well as from other countries, have come to Nalchik, the KBR capital, to take part in the festival.
The Adyg Day is marked in the KBR annually on September 20; it was established on August 12, 2014, by a decree of the republic head. In 2018, the celebration was held amid the Balkars-Kabardians conflict between the in the village of Kendelen.
The Adyg Day manifests the "historical path of the nation," Khauti Sokhrokov, the president of the International Circassian Association, has stated. According to his story, Circassians (Adygs) from Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Lebanon and European countries have come came to the KBR to mark the holiday.
Adygs (Circassians) is the general name of the nation, now split into Kabardians, Circassians and Adygs. In Russia, they live in Adygea, KBR, Karachay-Cherkessia, Krasnodar Territory, North Ossetia and Stavropol Territory. The total number of Circassians in Russia, according to the 2010 census, is 718,727 people. However, most Circassians live outside of Russia.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 20, 2019 at 05:16 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.