Activists criticize authorities for cancelling march on Adygs' Remembrance Day

The authorities' refusal to sanction the mourning march in memory of the victims of the Caucasian War indicates their desire to destroy Adygs' historical memory and their national self-identification, Adam Bogus, a Circassian activist, believes. The march had been held for many years without any problems, Martin Kochesoko, the president of the NGO "KhaBze", has stated, calling on the head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) to contribute to the commemorative action.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that KBR authorities rejected the request of the initiative group to hold on May 21, a mourning march in memory of the victims of the Caucasian War. According to social network users, this ban is an encroachment on Circassians' traditions.

Khauti Sokhrokov, the president of the International Circassian Association said that this year they decided not to hold a march along Nalchik streets because of the events in Ukraine.

"We assume that the ban on the march is an initiative of specific officials who seek to curry favour with Moscow authorities and curators from special services. We believe that such behaviour is hostile to people," Martin Kochesoko said in the _Habze__ Telegram channel.

It was the Adyge-Khase organization that had initiated the celebration of April 25 and May 21 in Adygea and other places where Adygs live, Adam Bogus, an activist, has recalled. "The first date is the holiday of the Circassian flag; the second one is the commemoration day of the victims of the Caucasian War. Both days reflect the historical memory of the Adyg (Circassian) nation," he has explained.

Now, authorities prevent these days from being marked; and the "Adyge-Khase" acts along with them, the activist believes.