KBR residents commemorate deportation victims

Today, on the Day of Revival of the Balkar Nation, the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) is hosting festive events, exhibitions and a motor rally. Villagers of Khasanya have stated the need to preserve the memory of the victims of the Balkars' deportation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the holiday was established in 1994 by decree of the former KBR president Valery Kokov. The history of the holiday is associated with the tragic events of 1944.

The mass deportation of Balkars was undertaken on March 8, 1944. In 14 railway echelons, at least 37,713 Balkars were transported to their new settlement in Central Asia. In 1957, after 13 years of exile, Balkars were allowed to return home.

As stated by Kaisyn Azamatov, the head of the administration of the village of Khasanya, in his conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, "it'd be more appropriately to name the holiday as the Day of Return of Balkar Nation."

He has stressed that "the memory about the deportation is passed over from generation to generation." "This is our history; and history must not be forgotten," said Azamatov.

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