Actualization of Circassian question may undermine consolidation with Russia – expert

Artur Kazharov, President of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University, said at the conference ‘The Caucasian War of the 19th century: Realpolitik and ‘memory wars’’ in Ankara that actualization and politicization of the Circassian question could undermine the Russian-Circassian unity.

The expert noted that Circassian elites did not blame modern Russian statehood for the tragedy they had gone through. The tragedy was so great that its repercussions needed interior national consolidation and state support. Modern Russian statehood was a product of a long historic development process with key progress in the 20th century, Kazharov said. Circassians failed to develop a strong non-Russian ethnic or religious state.

The expert emphasized that Circassians had national statehood, educated national elites, notable scientific and cultural figures, athletes. He added that national statehood was transforming.