00:52, 27 November 2013

On the threshold of Sochi Olympics, exhibition dedicated to Circassians opened in Hamburg

Wulf Koepke, Director of the Ethnographic Museum of Hamburg, at the exhibition dedicated to Circassian nationals, Hamburg, November 24, 2013. Photo by Edita Badasyan for the ‘Caucasian Knot’.

The Ethnographic Museum of Hamburg has opened an exhibition dedicated to Circassian nationals. Wulf Koepke, the Director of the Museum has noted that the exhibition has to do with the upcoming Olympics and is not directed against Russia.

The official opening of the exhibition "Circassians from the Caucasus scattered around the world: reopening a legendary nation" took place on November 24.

The exposition features about 200 photos and 50 cultural specimens; its preparation took three years, Mr Koepke told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, adding that the event on the eve of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi is not a mere coincidence.

"Sochi was the last capital of Circassia. The place where they have built ski facilities was the venue of last battle of Circassians with the Tsarist army. Of course, this is the place of mourning and sorrow. But I want to emphasize that this exhibition is not directed against anyone. Put it bluntly, it is not directed against Russia," said Wulf Koepke.

Author: Edita Badasyan

Source: CK correspondent