Activists disclose plans for Adygs' Commemoration Day

Activists failed to receive sanction for holding a mourning march for the victims of the Caucasian War in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), but the rest of the planned events will take place. A march, a rally, a theatrical performance will take place in the Karachay-Cherkessian Republic (KChR), a requiem and a rally will be held in Adygea, and a march from the monument to war victims to the Tulip Tree and a prayer service will take place in the Krasnodar Territory.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that KBR authorities had refused to allow the initiative group to hold a mourning march in memory of the victims of the Caucasian War on May 21. According to social media users, this ban is an encroachment on Adygs' (Circassians') traditions.

According to Aslan Beshto, the Chairman of the Coordinating Council of Adyg Public Associations of the KBR, on May 20, 101 candles will be lit at the monument to the Victims of the Caucasian War in Nalchik; and songs about the events of the Caucasian War will be performed.

In his website "For KBR's Rights", Valery Khatazhukov, the head of the KBR's Human Rights Centre, has noted that it was not worth banning the march, it "would not have created any problems," but the ban could have the opposite effect.

Ramazan Tlemeshok, the head of the "Adyge Khase-Circassian Parliament" movement, said that Adygea activists are criticized for turning the sad event into entertainment; therefore, music was excluded from the programme.

Mazhid Chachukh, the head of the "Adyge Khase" of the Black Sea Circassians-Shapsugs, said that this year, Black Sea Circassians even refused to hold a rally.

"We believe that this is not quite appropriate given the situation in the country," he has explained.