In Turkey, Circassian Diaspora demands to create conditions for learning mother tongue

The Turkish city of Kayseri hosted a demonstration and a rally of representatives of the Circassian Diaspora. The protesters demanded that the government should create the conditions for learning Circassian language at comprehensive schools in Turkey and to establish broadcasting in Circassian language on public TV channels.

In total, the protest action, which was held in Kayseri on April 29, was attended by about 1500 persons. Valery Khatazhukov, the head of the Kabardino-Balkarian human rights centre was invited to the event from Kabardino-Balkaria.

"The problems of preservation of the native language are urgent not only at your place, but it is also acute for us, your countrymen living in Russia at our homeland, and also for Jordan, Europe, and Syria. So, your today's cry to preserve native language and culture should be supported by the entire Circassian world," emphasized Valery Khatazhukov in his speech at the rally.

According to him, the speakers, who delivered their speeches at the rally, used both Circassian and Turkish languages.

The rally was organized by the social movement "Circassian Initiative", which had declared itself two years ago. The social movement includes practically all social and political groups of Circassian society well-known scientists, journalists, businessmen, teachers, and government officials.

"Leaders of the movement "Circassian Initiative" believe that at present Turkey is facing a situation, suitable for setting to the republic's authorities the acute problems related to preservation of the Circassian language and culture of Adygs, for their subsequent solution," said Valery Khatazhukov.

In the nearest future, the leaders of the "Initiative Circassian" intend to hold a series of meetings and consultations with the European and international structures and to provide the m with analytic materials on the problems of Turkish Circassians. They also plan to hold an international conference in Ankara, the Turkish capital, to discuss the problems of Turkish Circassians.