Our new video: “Remembering the Circassian Genocide and Exile on its 160th Anniversary with Elbruz Aksoy”

The video is in Turkish but a long summary is provided below: 

Remembering the Circassian Genocide and Exile on its 160th Anniversary with Elbruz Aksoy – Video Summary

• Speaker: Elbruz Aksoy
• Guest: Elbruz Aksoy
• Subject: Circassian Genocide and Exile

Historical Background of the Circassian Genocide and Exile

• 160 Years of Diaspora:** New terminology of the exile and genocide of Circassians.
• Year 1864:** The exile of Circassians to the Ottoman Empire began. The term “Hijra” was used.
• After 23:** The terms “Circassian Migration” and “Caucasian Migration” were used.
• 90s: Circassians in Turkey started to express their identity more.
• 2000s: With the widespread use of the internet, terminological debates started among Circassians in the diaspora. Genocide and exile terminology were discussed.

Contemporary Studies and Genocide Remembrance

• Comprehensive Studies: Elbruz Aksoy gave information about the Circassian memory studies she started at Marmara University.
• Oral History Studies:** Since 1996, oral history studies were conducted in Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Israel.
• Internet and Social Media: With the widespread use of the internet, new documents and correspondence were discovered. This led to terminological debates among Circassians.

Sochi and the 2014 Winter Olympics

• The Importance of Sochi:** Sochi is the historical capital of Circassia. The organization of the 2014 Winter Olympics here mobilized the Circassian diaspora.
• Remembering and Commemoration: After 2014, there was more focus on remembering and commemoration.

Academic Studies and Documents

• Archival Work: Elbruz Aksoy found documents in Russian, Georgian, Ottoman, French, German and British archives.
• Memories and Narratives:** The collected memories and narratives were turned into books. His first book “1864” was published in 2018.

Commemoration Events Today

• Kefken and Düzce: In recent years, commemoration events have started to be organized in regions far from the center.
• New Memorials: New memorials were opened in Düzce and Eskişehir.
• International Commemoration Events: Commemoration events are organized in places like Germany, London and New York.

Circassians in Turkey and Russia

• Circassians in Turkey:** 3-3.5 million Circassians live in Turkey. Circassian identity is tried to be preserved.
• Circassians in Russia:** Approximately 900,000 Circassians live there. Circassian identity continues to exist here as well.

Digital Archives and Social Media

• Digital Archives:** With the influence of social media, more information about the Circassian genocide can be accessed.
• Bianet Article: Elbruz Aksoy’s Bianet article “A Beginning for the Circassian Genocide” reached a wide audience and was turned into a YouTube video.

00:02 Remembering the Circassian genocide and exile

02:40 Circassians addressed historical genocide and exile terminology

08:26 The Circassians preferred to forget the pain of the genocide.

11:02 Research on Circassian exile and evidence in multiple archives.

16:07 Circassian community showcases unity and remembrance through peaceful marches and symbolic acts

18:24 Challenges of expressing historical struggles

22:33 Commemoration events for Circassian Genocide and Exile

24:43 Circassian people’s resilience and demands for democratic rights

28:59 Discussion on Circassian genocide and exile

[31:07](https://www.youtube.com/w