Procession in Circassian Cities on May 21
In Nalchik, an annual procession has been traditionally held along the city’s main street on May 21 for decades — on the Day of Remembrance for those who fell for the freedom of Circassia and the victims of the genocide in the centennial Russian-Circassian War of 1763–1864.
All strata of the population take part in this peaceful action: women, children, the elderly, the youth, and people of various professions — from cultural figures to school teachers. Many put on traditional national clothing — the cherkeska — and beautifully, peacefully, and in an organized manner march with Circassian flags. At the front of the column ride hundreds of horsemen on Kabardian horses, in full traditional gear, carrying the national flag of all Circassians. These people and riders gather from almost all the villages of the republic, many come from neighboring republics, and representatives of the Circassian diaspora often travel to participate in this event.
Everything proceeds in an exceptionally organized, grandiose, and dignified manner, despite the fact that the organizer is the Circassian people themselves, without any instructions from the state. And this is truly worthy of the memory of ancestors who heroically gave their lives so that the Circassian people could remain free!
Similar processions were also held in the capitals of the republics of Adygea and Karachay-Cherkessia, as well as on the Black Sea coast of historical Circassia — in Shapsugia.
It is important to note that in the 1990s, the parliaments of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic and Adygea officially recognized the genocide of the Circassian people committed by the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. By doing so, the governing bodies of these republics committed themselves to carry out the necessary work for the rehabilitation of the Circassian people, to seek the granting of the right for Circassians to return to their homeland, and to do everything to ensure that this memory is not forgotten.
However, today it remains incomprehensible why obstacles are being created for a peaceful action that has been held in an organized manner and with deep respect for the memory of ancestors for decades. The situation surrounding the May 21 procession in recent years, and especially in 2025, vividly shows how significantly the practice of authorizing such events has changed.
Recently, the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria upheld the decision of the Nalchik City Court, which found “legal and justified” the authorities’ refusal to authorize the mass procession on the Day of Remembrance for Circassians along the main street of Nalchik.
In such a situation, natural questions arise:
Why do the heads of the republics allow this?
What is the so-called International Circassian Association doing? Shouldn’t they, first and foremost, take the side of the people and do everything to guarantee the safety of those worthy members of the nation who come out on this day honorably, peacefully, and organized, striving to pay tribute to their heroic ancestors and the victims of this tragedy?
What is the International Circassian Association doing to secure the legally formalized holding of this action, which has long become a tradition, so that people can participate in it without hindrance and fulfill their duty?
Why are respected people, cultural figures who participated in this event, being detained?
Why do we have to wait for the next year, suspended in uncertainty about how the authorities will react to the event this time?
Do the representatives of those Circassian organizations from the diaspora who frequently visit and collaborate with the leadership of the so-called International Circassian Association ask these or similar questions?
After all, every Circassian, no matter where they live, has a direct relation to this date, to how the memory is treated in the homeland, and to what is happening there!
Head of the Circassian public organization “Khabze”
Martin Kochesoko