Luzhniki hosted the 7th Moscow Festival of Culture of the Peoples of the Caucasus, which was attended by more than five thousand people of different nationalities and religions. The organizers - the Russian Congress of the Caucasus Peoples and the Department of Ethnic Policy, Inter-regional Relations and Tourism of Moscow - hope that Moscow citizens will get into the spirit of the fascinating Caucasus and learned about traditions of its peoples after seeing performances of the distinguished dance groups and artists from the South of Russia and Transcaucasia.
The chairman of the presidium of the Russian Congress of Peoples of the Caucasus, Aly Totorkulov, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, said that this year the congress celebrates its 10th anniversary, and is holding its seventh Festival of the Peoples of the Caucasus. "When a person goes to another region, another country - on business or as a tourist - he pays attention to the spiritual and material culture of another people. Cross-cultural interaction brings us closer together. "
This year, the ceremony of awarding laureates of the 'Pride of the Caucasus' prize was held in the framework of the festival. "Today we decided to honor the people from the Caucasus who have glorified the Caucasus, Russia and their own names. There are many nominations - sports, culture, art," Aly Totokrulov said.
Chief of staff of the Russian State Duma's Committee for Nationalities, Batal Biguaa, recalled that the Caucasus is home to many peoples speaking different languages, belonging to different religions, differing in cultural identity and traditions, imbued with the ideas of good and peace: "For many centuries the friendship of peoples was the Caucasian region's binding strength of the unity. Realities of today require the preservation and strengthening of the unity of peoples, drawing attention to the rich heritage of the mountainous region, strengthening interethnic relations between representatives of various ethnic, confessional and cultural values. I try to attend this event every year, which becomes bigger and more beautiful".
Head of the Moscow Department of National Policy, Interregional Relations and Tourism, Vitaly Suchkov, told Vestnik Kavkaza that representatives of more than 160 nationalities live in Moscow and such festivals help to get to know each other: "Having learned the culture and customs of all the peoples, you acquire a sense of respect for the people. We hold many festivals in Moscow, and each of them reveals the characteristics of one or another nationality. Here we show what the Caucasus has achieved, which the peoples of the Caucasus have achieved. It's not just lezginka, of course."
The participant of the festival, a young Ingush singer Lema Nalgiyeva, told Vestnik Kavkaza: "I'm very happy to be here, because such festivals unite nations. It is very important for our younger generation. Young people should visit such festivals, learn about the culture of peoples. I performed a song in Ingush language, which title can be translated as 'Brave Dzhigits'. It tells about the courage of our people."
The 'Pride of the Caucasus' prize winner, famous plastic surgeon, who gives people the opportunity to smile, Hassan Baiev told Vestnik Kavkaza that he was surprised to win the award: "The day before yesterday I returned from abroad, got a call and was asked to come to Luzhniki. I have different awards, but it is a special one - anything related to the Caucasus is a great honor for me. Now, I think that I should do even more for the Caucasus and Russia. And this is a big responsibility. The Caucasus is my life. I was born and raised in Chechnya. My American friends in the US always told me: "You are the best ambassador of the Caucasus." Being in America or Europe, I always tried to represent the Caucasus in the best possible way, give more objective information about it. I told people not only about Chechnya, but also about Dagestan, Adygea, about the hospitality of the Caucasians, about the national cuisine, about languages and culture. There can be no nation without culture, as well as without language."
Answering the question about the development of medicine in the North Caucasus, Hassan Baiev said: "My first surgery in Chechnya after spending seven years in the US was done in inhuman conditions. But every year, when I come to Chechnya, I see that the situation is getting better. Modern, well-equipped hospitals have been built. I did surgeries in a children's hospital in Vladikavkaz - there also were good conditions. Today, there are opportunities to study, improve qualifications abroad and in the best Russian clinics."
Azerbaijani singer and musician Emil Kadyrov, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, called the festival "a unique event, which gathers all the peoples of the Caucasus at one place for one evening, which contributes to our unity and cultural exchange. "Previously, there was the slogan 'Workers of the world, unite!', and today the Caucasian peoples should unite, because we have a common history, many of us have one religion and close cultures," Kadyrov said.
