23:57, 28 March 2025

Balkars mark Nation’s Revival Day with horse ride

Riders held a horse ride. Screenshot of a video posted on the Telegram channel by the administration of the Chegemsky District on March 28, 2025, https://t.me/admcherek/10595

Concerts, exhibitions and public festivities dedicated to the Revival Day of the Balkar People were held in cities and villages of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR). In the Chereksky District, more than 70 riders held a horse ride.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in 2024, the KBR’s Ministry of Culture explained the cancellation of festivities on the occasion of the Revival Day by the terror act committed in the "Crocus City Hall". Activists have stressed that for the real revival of the Balkar District, a population growth is necessary, while it slowed down due to the outflow of villagers to cities.

The operation to deport Balkars to Kazakhstan and Central Asia was held on March 8, 1944. During the 18 days of travel, 562 people died. Only in 1957 were the Balkars allowed to return to their homeland. In the Chereksky District, libraries have organized exhibitions telling about the fate and everyday life of people in exile; and a concert with songs and dances was organized in front of the district Culture House.

In Baksan, an educational programme "Highlander with a Violin" was timed to the holiday, dedicated to the 180th birthday of Sultanbek Abaev, the first Balkar professional musician, violinist, educator and public figure.

The Elbrus District has held a street exhibition of KBR painters, dedicated to the Revival Day of the Balkar People.

The deportation has affected all Balkar families; the memory thereof is passed over from generation to generation. It is important to preserve the memory of those who did not return from the deportation, said participants in a mourning rally in Nalchik, timed to the 80th anniversary of the deportation. During the exile, many nationals perished; while the rehabilitation cannot be considered complete, activist of public organizations have stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 28, 2025 at 10:34 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: Caucasian Knot