Attendees of The Adyg (Circassian) People: History and Present Day international conference have discussed the main periods and problems of Adyg history and the Adyg people's place in the history of Russia and the whole world. As a result we are able to word a number of conclusions, which reflect our common approach to Adyg history.
The riches of Adyg history
The Agyg people belong to those who have undergone a long period of development. In ancient times, in the Middle Ages and in modern times the Adyg people maintained contact with their closest neighbours, various peoples of the Caucasus, great civilizations, and were a natural part of the Caucasian world.
The Adyg world has elaborated its own social and political institutions, has given birth to a unique and rich culture and has remained ready to borrow from other peoples, societies and countries.
The Adyg world is a special system, a part of the historical process, which poses a lot of questions for professional scholars. Some of these questions have not been answered yet. That is why it is necessary to continue research work in order to improve our understanding of Adyg history.
The rich heritage of the Adyg people is the foundation of their cultural identity.
The Tragedy of the Adyg people
The history of each people is full of events, which play a crucial role in their understanding of themselves. For the Adyg people, the Caucasus War is such an event. As a result of the war many Circassians were forced to leave their homes, which was a tragedy for the Adyg world. This tragedy left an eternal mark in the Adyg memory.
The belief, according to which Adyg history is divided into two parts by the Caucasus War, is the basis of the contemporary historical discourse. At the same time, the war itself is seen differently by different scholars.
This is why it is necessary to continue researching the Caucasus War and the role it played in the history of the Adyg people. This research should be unbiased and conducted in accordance with the main rules of scientific work.
First of all, such research should be based on historical facts and authentic documents.
In addition to this, the study of the war should be conducted on the basis of analysis of the historical context. The Caucasus War is only one part of the history of Russia's relations with the Circassian world, which began long ago and lasted up until now. The war did not stop the process of cultural interaction and rapprochement of the two peoples.
This process allowed mutual ties and development and eased the Adyg people's integration into the Russian state.
A new epoch in Agyg history
Adyg history did not stop after the Caucasus War, but the development of Agyd society was altered.
The Adyg people were gradually incorporated into the social, political and cultural life of the Russian state. During this new epoch Russian-Adyg relations acquired a new character.
In the 16-17th centuries the mutual relationship was based on tge political cooperation of different states, while both maintained their cultural identity and uniqueness. After the war the Caucasus became a natural part of Russia and Adyg society began its development within the Russian political and social system.
Attendees of the conference agreed that the epoch, which started in the 1860s and has lasted until now, is characterized by a number of distinctive features. Despite the difference in Imperial, Soviet and modern ideologies, Adyg society has been undergoing a process of social and political development, which resulted in the appearance of modern institutions. Today the Adyg people are lawful citizens of Russia rather than subjects of Russian monarchs, a natural part of the emerging Russian nation.
At the same time, the life of the Adyg people abroad has changed considerably. If in the 19th century the Adyg diaspora in the Middle East lived within the Ottoman Empire, today it is divided between various states. The life of the Adyg people abroad was influenced greatly by the dissolution of the Ottoman state.
Nowadays there are Adyg communities in the European countries, North America and Australia. However the process of migration today differs greatly from that in the past. In the global world there are now isolated territories and people from all countries are able to keep in contact with each other, take part in the global competition, while maintaining their cultural identity.
The perspectives for the Adyg world
On May 21, 2014 people commemorated the end of the war in the North-Western Caucasus. No matter which approach any particular person shares, all agree that the war was a tragedy for the Adyg people. The Adygs believe as well that their grief should be respected.
However one should note that the war is separated from the present day by one hundred years of joint development and the integration of the Adyg people into Russian society.
Looking back at the past does not require indifference to the present. For the future generations there are no irreconcilable points of view. Professional historians have to study the past as a common experience shared by Russian society. Knowing and understanding their past, the peoples of Russia will be free from that past and able to approach the future.
A constant appeal to the past cannot solve any existing problem. The intensive and global character of the current social development requires open-minded approach and readiness to change, innovate and get used to the ever-changing society.
Active participation in the economic, social, political and cultural life of the countries that the Adyg people live in, pursuing democracy, mutual cooperation and coming closer is the main aim of the Adyg world.
In order to be effective efforts aimed at protection of the Adyg language, culture and traditions should be based on modern institutions.
The Adyg people, who live in their native land, in Russia, are able to enjoy their own political institutions and influence the process of modernization of society. Such participation is beneficial for the Adyg people themselves, for the Russian state and for the Adyg diaspora abroad.
The Adyg people people are facing challenges typical for Russian society in general. They have to conform to the economy and culture of the 21st century and at the same time to keep their cultural identity. This is the main peculiarity of the present day, the main historical perspective of the Adyg world.
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The complexity of the interconnection between the past and the present of the Adyg people requires special studies in various fields touched upon at the conference.
The conference showed that the efforts taken by the scientific community are fruitful.
Participants in the conference are ready to continue their cooperation
