Moscow Circassians lose their Cultural Centre after marketplace fire

The Adyg Cultural Centre was opened on the territory of the "Sindika" shopping centre (SC) a month before a fire occurred there. Meanwhile, the Cultural Centre managed to become a place for gathering and communication for almost all Circassians of Moscow, reported Circassian activist Beslan Teuvazhev.

On October 8, in the Moscow Region, a fire occurred in the "Sindika" SC, and the disaster affected 55,000 square meters. The open burning was not extinguished until the morning of October 9.

The report stating the Adygs' Cultural Centre was burnt down in the fire in the "Sindika" SC was received by the "Caucasian Knot" SMS-service on October 9.

Circassian activist Beslan Teuvazhev said he was saddened by the destruction of the Adyg Cultural Centre. "We are all very sorry for the fire. We were waiting for its opening for so long, we were preparing for that, and once the Centre began its activities, such a disaster occurred," the Circassian activist told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to Beslan Teuvazhev, the Adyg Cultural Centre in Moscow was unique in its kind. For a short time of its existence, the Centre managed to become a place for gathering and communication for all Adygs of Moscow, the Circassian activist noted.

"Almost all Adyg people got acquainted there and made friends. Earlier, there were dance groups, for example, 'Adygs'. Language courses were organized with the support of the Adygea's representation office in Moscow, but they were finally closed. For the first time, the Centre gathered culture, dance, language, and Adyge Khabze under one roof. We hope we will succeed in reviving the activities of the Cultural Centre," Beslan Teuvazhev said.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.