shapsugs

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(Source images: Thomas Peter/Reuters, Yuga.ru)

Opinion | In Russia, calling yourself a Circassian is always a political stance

•9 min read

As Russia’s 2020 census approaches, a campaign for Circassians to label themselves not as Adygeans, Kabardians, Shapsughs, and Cherkess, but as Circassians, has breathed new life into the nationalist movement. On 9 March, activists in Cherkessk, the capital of Karachay–Cherkessia, announced the creation of a new organisation — the Coordination Council of Circassian Activists. One of its first priorities, they said, was to support a campaign to abolish an anachronism dating back to Soviet

circassia

Russia’s war on Circassian national consciousness

by Volodymyr Soboliev

•5 min read

The Circassian national movement in the North Caucasus has for years been under pressure from the authorities. Facing detention, prosecution, or outright violence, Circassian activists, scholars, and young people all feel the pressure, but there is much disagreement as to why they are being targeted. Over the past few years, leaders of the Circassian national movement in Russia have been subjected to unprecedented pressure and harassment by local and central authorities. The latest inc

circassia

Krasnodar court upholds fine against Circassian activist Gvashev

by OC Media

•2 min read

Krasnodar’s regional appellate court has upheld a fine against Ruslan Gvashev, a former Circassian leader, for performing a traditional Circassian prayer. The court rejected Gvashev’s complaint on 16 October, Caucasian Knot reported, despite his lawyers claiming his right to freedom of religion had been violated. Gvashev, currently staying at a sanatorium in Kabardino-Balkaria, was reportedly unable to attend the hearing. Gvashev performed the prayer on 21 May, which marks the Day of Reme

Abkhazia

Circassian leader ends hunger strike

by OC Media

•2 min read

Ruslan Gvashev, a 67-year-old Circassian activist who was fined for performing a traditional Circassian prayer in public, has ended his hunger strike after 25 days. The appeal against his fine has been postponed. Krasnodar’s regional appellate court was due to make a final decision on whether to overturn the fine against him on 5 October, but the hearing was postponed until 14 October. After dozens of supporters gathered at the court and urged him to stop, he announced he would abandon h

Abkhazia

Hunger striking Circassian leader suffers stroke

by OC Media

•2 min read

A 67-year-old Circassian activist on hunger strike in Krasnodar Krai has suffered a stroke. Ruslan Gvashev has been protesting for 24 days after being fined for performing a public prayer at a sacred tulip tree in the village of Golovinka, near Sochi. According to Ekho Kavkaza, Gvashev is continuing his protest and has refused medical care. On 3 October, Caucasian Knot quoted Gvashev’s wife, Natalya Gvasheva, as saying that her husband has been unable to speak for the last three days, and

Abkhazia

Rally in Sukhumi for hunger striking Circassian leader

by OC Media

•3 min read

A rally in solidarity with a 67-year-old Circassian activist was held in Sukhumi (Sukhum) on 27 September. The former Shapsug leader has been on hunger strike in Krasnodar Krai for more than two weeks. Ruslan Gvashev, who fought in the 1992–1993 war on the side of Abkhazia, began his strike on 11 September after being fined for performing a public prayer at the sacred tulip tree in the village of Golovinka, near Russia’s Sochi. Gvashev is a former head of the Circassian Shapsug Council o