Associazione Culturale Circassa in Italia

Cooperation Agreement with the Suzuki Vescovana School, Vescovana
2024-06-27 | Suzuki Vescovana, Suzuki Vescovana, Via IV Novembre 139 Vescovana (PD), Italia
During our journey through Italy, we visited the Suzuki Vescovana School, located in Vescovana (Province of Padua). This school actively supports cultural exchanges in the field of music education, which aligns with the goals of our Association.
During the visit, we conducted interviews with the owners of the Suzuki Vescovana music school—Silvia Migliorini, Sara Migliorini, and Eva Ferretto. We had previously seen Silvia’s violin performance online and were greatly impressed. During the meeting, we managed to film interviews and capture the beautiful locations of the school. Additionally, we signed a cooperation agreement with the Suzuki Vescovana School, which includes several key events and programs.
In October, the school will celebrate its tenth anniversary, as well as the inauguration of a new auditorium that will serve as a venue for concerts and cultural events. Honorary guests, including the President of the Veneto region, are expected to attend this event.
Moreover, we developed a joint program aimed at cultural exchange between Circassian and Italian children. As part of this program, a group of ten Circassian children, along with a teacher, will be invited to the Suzuki Vescovana School. For ten days, the children will live, eat, and study at the school. The first five to six days will be devoted to intensive music courses, culminating in a public performance and the awarding of certificates.
The program also includes close interaction between Circassian and Italian children, helping them to make new friends and improve their language skills. After the course ends, the Italian children will return home, and a three-day tourist program will be organized for the Circassian children, covering the main attractions of the region.
We believe that these initiatives will not only enrich cultural interaction between our peoples but also make a significant contribution to the development of music education and friendships between children from different countries.

May 21 - Circassian Day of Remembrance
2024-05-21 | Piazza dell’Esquilino, Roma RM, Italia
Circassians. Brothers and sisters. Today, we have gathered here to commemorate a tragic date—160 years since the end of the Caucasian War. The outcomes of this century-long, exhausting war had catastrophic consequences for the Circassians. The loss of sovereignty, the destruction of the economy, numerous casualties, the distortion of the traditional way of life, and finally, the expulsion of the majority of the population from their historical homeland. Unfortunately, these consequences are still felt today, as we remain a divided, scattered nation, and our language is threatened with gradual extinction.
Our ancestors faced the severe trials brought by fate and history with honor and dignity. They bravely and selflessly defended their freedom. Even when their strength waned, they did not lay their flag at the feet of the enemy; leaving their homeland, they carried it with them as a symbol of an unbroken national spirit and a belief in the inevitable revival of Circassia. Now, this flag is flown above your heads and the heads of hundreds of thousands of your compatriots around the world.
Yes, the Circassians lost much, but they preserved the most important thing—their identity and self-awareness. We know who we are and where we come from, and we remember our heroes and their great deeds.
Modern Circassians must remember the catastrophe that befell them, but not dwell on it, not lament, and not despair. We must look forward and use the memory of this catastrophe as a significant cornerstone in the foundation upon which our future will be built.
Undoubtedly, memory is an important element in the foundation of our revival, but it is not the only one. Today, every concerned Circassian must, as much as possible, direct their material and intellectual capital toward solving the current tasks and overcoming the challenges facing the nation, without which this revival will be extremely difficult.
What are these tasks? First and foremost, in the development of the language, in the preservation and enhancement of the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the people. An equally important issue is strengthening ties between the diaspora and the Circassians in the historical homeland. Creating conditions for solid, ongoing, and fruitful interaction in various fields, particularly in matters of repatriation, will contribute to ethnic consolidation, which is so important for a divided nation.
At present, the Circassians do not have their own state that could, using powerful governmental resources, initiate, promote, and finance activities aimed at addressing these tasks.
Therefore, as I have already mentioned, private initiative, enthusiasm, and energy from members of our people are needed. We must form a national intellectual, creative, and business elite that will generate ideas for Circassian revival and support various projects and activities accompanying this process.
While addressing global issues, it is also important to pay attention to the urgent needs of compatriots: providing assistance to those in need, paying for medical treatment, education, helping with employment, etc. The key role in this matter should belong to international and regional Circassian public organizations.
A recent and successful example of such initiatives, an example of unity and mutual assistance, was the aid provided to the Circassians of Turkey who were affected by the devastating earthquake.
The national revival of the Circassians should take place in partnership and mutual respect with the peoples with whom we neighbor both in our historical homeland and in the countries where our diaspora resides.
Overcoming the tragedy that has befallen us is a difficult and long process, but as it is known, the road is overcome by the one who walks it.
