Several events devoted to Caucasus to take place in Czech Republic

There are several events planned in the Czech Republic for the period between December 8 and 13 that will be devoted to the Caucasus: its culture, history, tradition, as well as a current situation in the Caucasian republics. These events are also aimed at helping Chechen refugees.

In Brno during this week, the Czech non-governmental organization "Nesehnuti" along with the Czech branch of Amnesty International organizes the first Caucasus Days Festival. The program includes public debates, documentary films, a photo exhibit, a Caucasian folk music concert, and a tasting of traditional Caucasian dishes.

In addition, a rally will be held on December 11 in front of the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Brno to protest the dismantling of refugee camps in Ingushetia.

According to the organizers, the aim of the festival is to publicly display the rich history and culture of the Caucasus, as well as to depict the current problems of the region. During the festival a collection will be taken up and all monies will go to help Caucasian refugees living in the Czech Republic.

In Prague on December 8, the civic association "Souziti 21" (Coexistence 21) is arranging the "Evening of Caucasian Culture" action.

On December 10, International Human Rights Day, the Czech capital will host the "Evening with Berkat", which will be a sale exhibit of pictures by Czech artists and Chechen artist Abu Pashayev. The sponsor of this event is the Berkat civic association. Since 2001 it has been helping children, women and the elderly who live amid the ruins of Grozny. All proceeds of the sale will go to support Berkat's humanitarian projects in Chechnya and to pay scholarships for children of the Chechen dance group "Marsho".

According to Berkat, this event should also act as a reminder of how global politics continues to ignore the dreadful conditions of the war victims in Chechnya.