Statement of the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tanju Bilgiç, in Response to a Question Regarding the Anniversary of the Circassian Exile

Republic Of Türkiye Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 20.05.2016

QA-16, 20 May 2016

During the fights that occurred in the invasion of the Caucasus by the Tsarist Russia throughout the 19th century and as a result of the oppression and persecutions that followed afterwards, hundreds of thousands of Caucasian people lost their lives and most of the survivors migrated to Anatolia.

This great catastrophe, known as the “Circassian Exile”in history and commemorated every year on May 21, has been etched on the memory of Caucasian people, who were exiled from their homeland, and opened deep wounds in their hearts.

We respectfully commemorate those who lost their lives in this atrocity, which constitutes one of the greatest massacres in the history of humanity.

Atatürk

Metin Feyzioğlu Ambassador
Monday - Friday

09.00 - 13.00 / 14.00 - 18.00

1/1/2025 1/1/2025 New Year's Day
4/18/2025 4/18/2025 Good Friday
4/21/2025 4/21/2025 Easter Monday
5/1/2025 5/1/2025 Labour Day
5/8/2025 5/8/2025 Liberation Day
6/6/2025 6/6/2025 Eid al-Adha
7/5/2025 7/5/2025 St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day
7/6/2025 7/6/2025 Jan Hus Day
9/28/2025 9/28/2025 Czech Statehood Day
10/28/2025 10/28/2025 Independence Day
10/29/2025 10/29/2025 National Day
11/17/2025 11/17/2025 Freedom and Democracy Day
12/24/2025 12/24/2025 Christmas Eve
12/25/2025 12/25/2025 Christmas Day
12/26/2025 12/26/2025 St. Stephen's Day