Al Jazeera World: 2014: Winter of Discontent will air on Al- Jazeera English Channel today and in the next several days.
“150 years after being expelled from their homeland, Circassians are protesting the holding of the 2014 Winter Olympic games in the city of Sochi.” (55 minutes)
I write this post on May 21, 2013- the 149th anniversary of the Circassian Genocide, several hours before participating in annual actions.
Every year – I use this time to assess how much was accomplished since the early days of these modern Circassian activism. How have we as a nation come to face the challenges that arise when we do not have a homeland? Do these actions really work? And personally, how was my “job performance” in telling the world the story of my people? Have I done enough?
A tragedy like the Circassian Genocide cannot be forgotten easily. Its wounds are still fresh in our hearts. Adyghes today – no matter where they are in the world- are literally bloodbrothers. We share the emotional burden; this is something that was inherited in every generation. We will pass this onto our future.
So, the next questions that follow are, what will I show future my children, grandchildren, and future generations? What will the Circassian state of affairs look like when they take over the mantle? How will I leave it to them? What can I do now, that will make it easier for them to identify being Adyghe?
As we go into Year 149, there are many challenges that Circassians face. Russia’s continual genocidal policy of “Circassia without Circassians” is still in effect. Many of our nation are facing very real life and death circumstances. Our language is on the brink of dying, and our khabzas are slipping away.
Yet, I have hope.
Since the start of modern actions, Circassian gained the attention of the the world media, academic circles, NGO’s, and other nations. This international focus on Circassian affairs is considerable progress.
But perhaps the greatest achievement of these actions is the strengthening of our Circassian identity. We became more comfortable when we demand our fundamental rights.
“Activism” was the word to describe the work to bring awareness and directly address the challenges of our nation.
At the beginning, the word “genocide” was almost taboo to say. Today, thanks in part to available materials, education and research, this is the only way to describe our national tragedy, and was first officially recognized as such in 2011.
The sentiment, “Free Circassia Now” is a deep-seeded wish of every Circassian since the time of our exile. Its why we fought a war for 101 years. Today, saying the phrase frees our minds, and feeds our souls which in turn, will make our dreams of Home a reality.
On the this 149th anniversary I say, action is what is restoring hope and making our future a little brighter. The fate of our nation is determined by what actions (or inactions) we take. We will never forget the past – but let us also not forget how we want our future to look like either, and work towards it.
With all my love, and all my faith …
Long live Circassia. Адыгэ пco.
PS. Happy Birthday to my wonderful mother. She’s the source of my light, the pillar of my strength, and purveyor of love and knowledge. On a day like today, I’m so thankful that I have a woman like her in my life.
May 18, 2013 – In Istanbul today, Circassians marched in Taksim Square advocating Circassian rights on the 149th Anniversary of the Circassian Genocide.
One of the most pressing matters for Circassians involves the on-going and violent conflict in Syria. As a result of policies in the 19th century, 90% of Circassians were forced out of their homeland Circassia by means of Genocide and relocated to parts of the Ottoman Empire- including modern day Turkey, Jordan and Syria. Today, due to ignorance and negligence on behalf of the Russian Federation, approximately 200,000 Circassians live in fear and without any promise to return to the safety and shelter of their homeland.
The demands at today’s demonstration are for recognition of the Circassian Genocide, opposition to the next Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014, and to allow unconditional repatriation of Circassians to their homeland, Circassia in the North Caucasus.
On Tuesday May 21, 2013, a similar protest will take place in New York City organized by a New Jersey based Circassian group. The demonstration will occur in front of the United Nations and again at the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN.
“The Kruzenshtern docked at the Vancouver Winter Olympics is not a symbol of goodwill. It is a direct affront to Circassians. We must not idolize a weapon used to
desecrate Circassians, their homes, hopes, dreams, and nation. It is a symbol of cruelty
and oppression, not of peace and humanity. The Kruzenshtern is a symbol of genocide.“
“In his first engagement, (Frenchman Arthur de Fonvielle) the memoir describes two Russian warships bombarding the shore with complete impunity. Some Circassians rush to the beach, only to be shot at themselves.” – Oliver Bullough, Let Our Fame Be Great
In the days of planning the actions for Vancouver, we found out that the Russia’s delegation had sailed a ship, docked it in the Vancouver Bay, so that revelers can enjoy free Russian hospitality. Upon further research, we realized this ship was a replica of a ship that was used in the war against Circassia.
The landing at Subashi of Russian forces on the territory of modern-day Sochi in 1838
Upon arriving at the dock, we heard disco music playing on the ship in the distance. We approached closer to the ship and we saw through the brightly let windows, people drinking, dancing, and partying. On deck, we noticed canons. A couple of sailors wearing blue, white and red striped scarfs beckoned us to join them on the ship – we declined, stupefied.
The Kruzenshtern at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
The ship was in arms reach; our fingertips grazed the side of the ship. Are we feeling something that helped kill our nation? That forced us to flee our beloved homeland? Whose canon bombs rained on the heads of innocent Circassians? Did the revelers on board know they invited the surviving descendents? And are they seriously oblivious to its symbolic and horrific history of what it did to Sochi and Circassia’s coast? And now that we felt this… can we simply walk on without saying or doing anything?
When we read passages discussing the war and exile from Circassia, we do not get a grasp of the hardships that our great grandfathers experienced. We remember the tragedy, and speak of our homeland in glowing words… but do we truly understand? Can we fathom the vastness, the scope and damage it has done to us psychologically and emotionally?
Circassians today inherited a tragic burden. We dare not forget. We live the tragedy daily every time we see a Circassian struggle to form a word in Adyghe. We live the tragedy and feel helpless when we see our brethren in war zones, trying to survive in a safe place. We live the tragedy when we see injustices occur to our nation on a regular basis.
And yet, the party still goes on.
*This is an entry for Sochi Watch, where on Saturdays I write about No Sochi 2014 and my own thoughts and perspectives as a young Circassian advocate. -DW*
With lasting fire in our hearth,
And well-lit and hot stoves,
Lacking no victuals to boil,
Nor crops to cook,
May God see us through next year!
HAPPY CIRCASSIAN NEW YEAR!
Click here for more info on Circassian New Year festivities by Amjad Jamuokha
Thanks to the noble work of Circassian Solidarity in Turkey, these great and loyal Adyghes were able to acquire this camp for 250 Circassians on the border of Turkey. It has water, food, access to healthcare and education, and other basic needs. It is a safe place with police and soldiers that will protect refugees not harm them. Plus, transportation and transfer costs are free.
This a better option than a life in Syria- where Adyghes live in fear of being captured or killed, or without having basic needs to live like a human being.
If you have relatives, friends or know of any Circassian still in danger, please let them know of this option. Right now, there is a 8 person team in Beirut working 24 hours/day out of a hotel room, collecting names and organizing everything to make sure safe and proper procedures.
UNFORTUNATELY, the opportunity for this chance is very limited! So far, 150 Circassians agreed to go to this camp. If 100 more Circassians cannot be collected within the next 2 days, this chance will be lost for everyone. We cannot allow this to slip away, so…
Please share this widely! Information is powerful!!
More photos of the camp.
Our first day of action at the Vancouver Olympics was participating in the Olympic Resistance Network’s Anti-Olympic Convergence and Parade. After a few hours of making signs and stuffing our backpacks with pamphlets, fashas, cameras, and signs, we entered the convergence site. Our initial reaction was, “whoa….”
Press Release
Jordanian Association of Caucasus Circassian Friends
Circassian Nationalist Movement
The Circassian Nationalist Movement, a committee entrusted with following up the Circassian issues by the Association of Caucasus Circassian Friends, posted a letter to the president of the Jordanian Olympic Committee, H.R.H Prince Faisal Ibn Al Hussain, expressing the Circassian objections on the intended winter games to be held in Sochi the land of Circassian genocide in 2014, also on the same line similar letters were posted to other National Olympic committees expressing concerns about the for- mentioned winter games in Sochi, the following is the text of the letter. Continue reading
Wikipedia in Circassian • Уикипедиэ Aдыгэбзэ
Bravo to the developers of this project! This is truly a step in the right direction to preserving our language in the social media and digital realm!
Webster’s Dictionary defines activism as the practice based on direct action to effect changes in society and government. It is the desire to bring about change because the status quo or past practices have not been effective for the development of a community.
Circassian activism is the direct action to effect positive changes for Circassians in the Homeland and in the Diaspora. Generations since the genocide and expulsion, Circassians still struggle with protecting their national identity. This is a threat that only increases exponentially because of the lack of Circassians’ right to repatriate to their ancestral homeland, and assimilation into the countries where they reside is becoming more prominent. Additionally, the Russian Federation continually denies and systematically falsifies the horrific events of the past which stymies progression for Circassians. The majority of “Khassas/ Xaces” that were established as the governing and organizational body for Circassian communities, have become weak and ineffective because of its inability or unwillingness to progress beyond cultural preservation: for almost 150 years Circassians have been able to retain their music, song, dance, and food. The Circassian language, the traditional identification, is endangered. These elements of Circassian culture have become remnants of an ancient vanishing people. Continue reading
