Participants in the Nalchik rally emphasized the importance of Adyghe Remembrance Day.

At the "Tree of Life" monument in Nalchik, people lit 101 candles as part of the Day of Remembrance for the Adyghe Victims of the Caucasian War. Events held on this day are important for Circassians, but the authorities are trying to downplay the significance of the commemorative events, according to participants in the memorial event.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," a week before the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Caucasian War, celebrated on May 21, security forces began handing out warnings to residents of Kabardino-Balkaria warning them against participating in the march commemorating this date. Human rights activists called on the head of the republic to intervene in the situation, and activists who received warnings refused to change their plans for Circassian Remembrance Day. Participation in authorized events for Circassian Remembrance Day, in full compliance with legal requirements, should not entail consequences for Circassian activists who have received warnings from security forces. At the same time, the very issuance of such documents shows that the activists' actions will be under special control and any violation will result in prosecution.

A traditional evening event was held at the "Tree of Life" monument in Nalchik as part of the Day of Remembrance of the Adyghe Victims of the Caucasian War, which is celebrated on May 21.

About two hundred people gathered for the event, organized by the Ministry of Culture of Kabardino-Balkaria. A literary and musical composition was performed, both recorded and live: Adyghe folk songs and poems dedicated to the events of the Adyghe deportation, reported a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent who attended the event.

A group of young people brought to the event the Kabardian national treat khalua, which is distributed at funerals.

Nalchik resident Anzor Shakhmurzov, commenting on the event, said that for him this day is "the most significant and the saddest."

"Although this date marks the end of a war that lasted 101 years, one must consider how exactly this war ended. "The Circassians lost 90 percent of their population and territory," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Anzor Shakhmurzov shared the personal story of his family as a result of that war.

"During the war, those with our family name were forced to split into three groups and resettle. One group settled in Kabarda, another in Adygea, and the third remained in our ancestral village in Karachay-Cherkessia. We found each other and got to know each other only in the 1990s, during perestroika. Since then, we have communicated like relatives, but at the same time there is a sense of absurdity - a third of us are Adyghe, a third Circassian, and a third Kabardian. These are the consequences of the war for our family," he noted.

Commenting on that Shakhmurzov called the fact that the traditional procession along Nalchik's main street has been cancelled in recent years under various pretexts "unnecessary fuss."

"I don't know what the authorities are guided by when they ban certain forms of mourning events. In any case, in my memory, processions on this day have always been extremely peaceful and organized. Bans, in my opinion, only contribute to unnecessary hype out of nowhere," he said.

A participant in the event, Mazhid Utyzh, according to him, is a descendant of people who left their homeland during the Caucasian War. He was born and raised in Turkey. He returned to his historical homeland 35 years ago and is very happy about it.

"I'm glad that I was able to return home. I have both my children and grandchildren here. Wherever you live, no matter how well you live, it's still not yours. And when you're at home, even if something is missing, it's still better. Young people should understand this and know the value of their homeland and a peaceful life," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Adyghe public figure Aslan Beshto believes that the authorities are taking certain steps to downplay the significance of the commemorative events. This is how he explains the cancellation of the march.

"Banning the march has no meaning other than to downplay the significance of this date. This is happening not only here, but also in Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea."

At the same time, according to the country's Constitution, citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and hold marches and other public events, as well as to create public organizations. Authorities are obliged to take public opinion into account.

The International Circassian Association announced that on May 21, a mourning procession along the city's sidewalks to the rally site at the Tree of Life monument will be held for all those wishing to attend, with all necessary security measures in place.

Activists considered language preservation issues to be pressing.

Speaking about the current problems of the Circassians, Shakhmurzov cited the need to adopt a single self-designation for all Adyghe, the issue of repatriation of Adyghe from abroad to their historical homeland, and the problem of preserving their native language and national identity.

Mazhid Utyzh said that one must know the past to learn from it, but one must also look to the future. One must preserve and develop one's language, one's national culture.

"God grant that no people experience such pain," he emphasized.

Aslan Beshto named the preservation of one of the Adyghe people's main problems as the preservation of their native language. He believes this issue is very pressing.