Circassians March in Nalchik Despite Warnings

In Nalchik, Kabarda–Balkaria, roughly 1,000 Circassians held their annual march commemorating the end of the 19th century Caucasian War and the Circassian Genocide. The march took place on May 21st, despite prior warnings from local authorities about potential legal repercussions for unauthorized assembly. Participants walked from the railway station to Concord Square, gathering at the Tree of Life memorial.

This year’s commemoration marked the 162nd anniversary of the war’s end and also remembered the expulsion and deaths of hundreds of thousands of Circassians. Police contacted residents before the event, citing public assembly laws and threatening administrative or criminal charges. Activist Azamat Shormanov refused a police warning, stating he had not violated any laws.

The International Circassian Association coordinated a program with the Kabarda–Balkaria government to hold the march on city pavements, but authorities have increasingly restricted commemorative events in recent years, citing security concerns and the war in Ukraine. Similar events occurred in other North Caucasian republics and within the Circassian diaspora in countries like Turkey, Jordan, and Germany. The work of remembering continues as Russian authorities do not officially recognize the events as genocide.