A project under the name of “Kunachestvo” launched in Kabardino-Balkaria

On August, 1, an international youth project “Kunachestvo” (“Friendship”) started in Kabardino-Balkaria. It means that a teenager of one ethnic group goes to live in a family representing another one and becomes its guest.

Kunachestvo (Turkic “konak”, “kunak” – guest) is a custom widespread in Northern Caucasus according to which two men belonging to different clans, tribes or ethnic groups become close friends. The custom included an obligation of mutual hospitality, protection and friendship between the kunaks.

“Our ancestors used to send their sons to respected families for upbringing independent of national identity”, Minister of Youth Affairs and relations with public associations of KBR Boris Pashtov said.

This year teenagers from 14 families will become “kunaks”. Three Kabardian, two Balkar, two Chechen, two Osetian, two Karachai, one Ingush, one Lezghin and one Russian families are participating in the project, ITAR-TASS reports.

The teenagers who will change their family for four days and go to a neighbouring republic are 13 to 17 years old. They will familiarize themselves with traditions and everyday life of another ethnos, take part in the life of a new family and youth actions. In the organizers’ opinion, this will help establishing inter-regional, inter-confessional and inter-ethnic relations and contacts and support neighborly relationship.

Ceremonial opening of the project will be held on August, 5, in the Palace of Culture of trade unions of Nalchik and will be accompanied by a festive concert program. The participants of the project will share impressions and stories of the days they spent together, the knowledge they gained, take an solemn “Kunak oath” of friendship, Press service of the President and the Government of KBR reports.