Participants in a rally in Cherkessk emphasized the need to preserve the memory of the Caucasian War.

Preserving the memory of the victims of the Caucasian War serves as a reminder of the value of peace. The memorial events held on this day demonstrate the connection between the past and present of the Circassian ethnic group, according to participants in the rally in Cherkessk.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," residents of Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Adygea annually commemorate the anniversary of the end of the Caucasian War with memorial events. A memorial rally was held in Nalchik on May 20, and in the evening, activists gathered at the "Tree of Life" monument to light 101 candles. Today, a march took place in Nalchik, with participants walking only on sidewalks. and a memorial service. A week before the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Caucasian War, security forces began handing out warnings to residents of Kabardino-Balkaria against participating in the march dedicated to this date. Authorities in Kabardino-Balkaria are artificially restricting the march to mark the end of the Caucasian War, but the bans and warnings only serve to increase the number of participants, activists and human rights defenders stated.

On May 21, memorial events were held in Cherkessk in memory of the victims of the Caucasian War. The commemorative events began at 11:30 a.m. Moscow time with a memorial rally at the monument to the victims of the Caucasian War, where those gathered honored the memory of their fallen and deported compatriots. At precisely noon, a nationwide minute of silence was declared in the republic. The memorial day will conclude with an evening "Requiem" event at the foot of the memorial, during which activists will light memorial candles, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reported.

Participation in the memorial service is a sacred duty for every Circassian family, 42-year-old local resident Aslan told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to him, the tragedy of the Caucasian War left a deep mark on the history of his family, as his ancestors were forced to leave their native lands for the Ottoman Empire, and only generations later was part of the family able to return to their homeland.

"Such events help preserve national identity in the context of globalization." "For us, this isn't just a historical date; it's a day of our shared pain and, at the same time, a day of our people's resilience, which we must pass on to our children," he said.

Annual commemoration of the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow is essential for preserving historical memory, said Cherkessk resident Fatima, who came to the memorial with her grandchildren. She said that stories of hardship as a result of the Caucasian War have been passed down from generation to generation in her family.

"Without knowledge of the tragic pages of the past, it is impossible to build a stable future for new generations." "Such official memorial events are important to ensure that the tragedy of an entire people is not forgotten, because if you don't know your past, you won't know your future," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

These memorial events contribute to the consolidation of Circassian youth, says 23-year-old activist Murat.

"Young people come here consciously, not under duress, because they feel a personal responsibility for preserving the cultural and historical heritage of their people. Such events clearly demonstrate the connection between the past and present of the Circassian ethnic group,” he told a Caucasian Knot correspondent.

Honoring the memory of the victims of the Caucasian War is important for maintaining interethnic understanding in the region, said activist Timur Zhuzhuev.

“The Day of Remembrance and Sorrow should not be perceived as a reason for escalating tensions, but on the contrary, is intended to serve as a reminder of the value of peace and the inadmissibility of a repeat of military catastrophes. Recognition of the historical tragedy and annual respectful memorial events help strengthen trust between all the peoples inhabiting the North Caucasus,” he told a Caucasian Knot correspondent.

The annual observance of the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow is key to understanding the historical path of the Circassian ethnic group and its future, believes a historian, who wished to remain anonymous.

"Revisiting the tragic pages of the past on this day should not lead to isolation or confrontation, but rather serve as a humanitarian guide for society. Preserving the memory of the victims of war allows us to learn important lessons that are necessary to prevent similar catastrophes in the future. Respect for shared historical pain strengthens interethnic dialogue and helps build long-term, stable relations within modern Russia," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.