A seminar named ‘Circassian Question and Sochi Olympics’ was organized on 3 March at Moscow Carnegie Center as a part of a program named ‘Religion, society and security.’
On seminar one of the experts of Center for Civilization and Regional Studies at Russian Academy of Sciences Naima Nefliasheva’s lecture stood out. According to Nefliasheva who mentioned the importance of the city of Sochi in Circassian history, majority of Circassian organizations in Caucasia, Council of Elders of Circassians, Adyghe Khase of three republics support Olympic games in Sochi and call for the use of Circassian symbols in Olympics. As for Circassian Congresses in Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, they oppose to the fact that Olympics will take place in a region where Circassian genocide happened.
Nefliasheva thinks that, Circassian society and republic administration should deeply discuss Circassian genocide alongside Sochi Olympics. “Things that befell on Adygeans should be spoken frankly. There should be a place for all Circassian movements and Circassian Congress to meet” said Nefliasheva. According to her, leaders of Circassian movements like Ibragim Yaganov, Ruslan Keshev, Murat Berzegov and Timur Jukuyev should participate in these meetings.
Head of the Center for Regional Socio-Economic Studies (RAMCOM) Denis Sokolov thinks that, the topic of ‘Circassian question and Sochi Olympics’ is alluring for actors inside and outside of Russia. “Outsiders, meaning international Circassian movements, try to renew Circassian question by using this topic. Of course, during Caucasian War too many Circassians died and Krasnaya Polyana in Sochi, where the war ended, became a tragic symbol for Adygeans all over the world. As Naima Nefliasheva rightfully stated, Russian historians also know very well about this but the state does not pay enough importance” said Sokolov.
Ivan Sukhov, one of the editors on politics of Moskovskie Novosti newspaper, thinks that, it’s early to tell that Circassian question will pose a threat to Sochi Olympics, but in three years this problem might grow. “There is no danger for now but we might face it in the near future. We still have three years and the situation changes rapidly and unfortunately not for good” said Sukov. Sukov stated that if official approach insists on suppressing the topic, the problem will flame. Sukrov said: “I am not saying that Russia should or should not recognize Circassian genocide, but it needs to establish its attitude and explain to people that it is ready to listen to their problems and meet with them. Otherwise, the problem may damage to Olympics.”
Acar Kurtov, an expert at Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, opposes to Nefliasheva’s thesis and believes that Circassian question should not be discussed on the level of state administration. “To discuss this topic on the level of regional administration (Krasnodar Krai) or to keep it in scientific field is possible. There is no need to take it to presidency. We should separate science and politics from each other” Kurtov stated and said that Circassian question is being politicized to discredit administration of Russia. KU/ÖZ/CY
