Residents of the Circassian villages of Kuban celebrated the anniversary of the end of the Caucasian War.

Black Sea Adyghe-Shapsugs held memorial rallies in the village of Golovinka and the village of Bolshoy Kichmay on the 162nd anniversary of the end of the Caucasian War. In Circassian villages, gatherings of residents honoring the memory of their ancestors continued until late this evening, a participant in the event reported.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," residents of southern Russia and the descendants of Circassians expelled from their historical homeland in various countries around the world are commemorating the Day of Remembrance for the Adyghe who fell victim to the Caucasian War that ended 162 years ago today. Memorial events are being organized in Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Adygea, among others. Thus, in Nalchik on May 20, a memorial meeting was held, and in the evening, activists who gathered at the “Tree of Life” monument lit 101 candles, and today the city residents held a traditional procession with Circassian flags, despite threats from security forces with administrative and criminal charges.

An official commemorative event, organized with the participation of the Sochi authorities, took place today at the Tulip Tree in Golovinka, which has long been considered sacred by the Adyghe-Shapsug people of the Black Sea region. Participants in the event included activists of the public parliament "Adyghe Khase," elders, representatives of the clergy and ethnic communities, Cossacks, and local residents. On behalf of the Sochi leadership, the Deputy Head of Sochi, Alexander Mitnikov, greeted those gathered, the editor-in-chief of the Shapsugia newspaper, Anzor Nibo, who covers all annual events, as well as the life and problems of the Black Sea Adyghe-Shapsugs for the Sochi News newspaper, told the correspondent of the Caucasian Knot.

While laying flowers at the memorial in the village of Bolshoy Kichmay commemorating the tragic events of the Caucasian War and the exodus of the Circassians from their native lands, the official stated that "the memory of ancestors is one of the fundamental constitutional rights and responsibilities of every citizen, regardless of ethnicity."

"Historical memory is the main asset of any people, without which the creation and preservation of traditions, customs, and a distinctive national culture is impossible. Our common goal and duty to future generations is the spiritual consolidation of society, the preservation of peace, stability, and interethnic harmony in the region," Anzor Nibo quoted Mitnikov as saying.

In the village of Bolshoy Kichmay, participants also laid flowers at the memorial to local residents who died fighting fascism. This monument is located next to the memorial to the victims of the Caucasian War. They also visited the memorial to the Mugu family in the vicinity of Bolshoy Kichmay. In the village of Agui-Shapsug in the Tuapse District, similar events took place this evening, Nibo said.

A participant in the event, who introduced himself as Aslan, attended the meeting with older comrades. The young man said he is 20 years old and was born in Sochi, Russia, but speaks Adyghe, a language now spoken primarily by older members of the community. According to Aslan, members of his family also speak their native language.

“My grandfather taught me the language. I believe it is important to know several languages ​​and preserve your native language; it broadens your culture and worldview,” he told a Caucasian Knot correspondent.

Aslan dreams of becoming a lawyer and is actively studying the literature and history of his native region. He said he was 14 years old when a memorial stone was erected in the Mugukhabl tract, located in the Shakhe River valley near the village of Bolshoy Kichmay (Lazarevsky District of Sochi), in honor of the famous Adyghe Shapsug clan of Mugu, whose ancestors lived on this land until 1864.

According to him, the memorial stone was erected by descendants of the Mugu clan in 2012. The Mugu clan tamga (family crest) is carved in the center of the stone. Aslan said that as a teenager, attending the unveiling of the stone, he felt pride for his people and memorized the words carved on the stone in both Russian and Adyghe. He is proud that he can read the inscription in two languages: "Until 1864, the village of the famous Adyghe Shapsug clan Mugu (Mygu) – Mugukhabl – stood on this site."

Also carved into the stone are words that the young man believes are important for every Circassian: "He who does not have his own clan is unhappy; He who does not know his clan is lonely; He who does not value his clan is cynical; He who loves his clan is worthy of his ancestors."

Aslan also shared that he translated his favorite poem, "Blessed!" by the Circassian author Bemyrze Zurab, into Russian. The original text was published today by the Telegram channel "Adyghe Heku."

“Those who, holding fast to the Adyghe word, did not allow their homeland to disappear—blessed is their fate. Those who, having endured thousands of years, preserved the history of their people—blessed is their fate. Those who, at the threshold of adversity, without flinching, rallied and stood together—blessed is their fate. Those who, raising their honor like a banner, marched forward with dignity—blessed is their fate. Those who, without losing their truth and name, revived the national spirit—blessed is their fate. Those who did not disgrace the sacred customs of their ancestors before the world—blessed is their fate. Those who, even in difficult times, preserved their native language as their mother tongue—blessed is their fate. And those who, thinking only of themselves, sold themselves for wealth and profit—they are deprived of a blessed fate,” he read the work in Russian translation.

In Circassian villages, memorial gatherings, according to Aslan, continue until late in the evening of May 21. On this day, residents meet, talk about their lives, perform national songs and dances, cook and treat each other to delicious food, he said.