Within the two centuries Circassia and Russia were true to their military-political union concluded in the 50s of the XVI century, rendering each other necessary military help in the struggle against their common enemies – the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean khanate.

21 May 2007, Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria

The situation radically changed with accession to the Russian throne of German Ekaterina II. On October 22, 1762 the Russian empress traced three short words – “To be this” - on the report of the Senate “About assignment of natural boundary Mozdok for settling of christened Kabardians led by the owner of Small Kabarda K.Konchokin (A.Ivanov), construction fortresses there and makeover Mozdok into the center of industry and trade”. With a stroke of a nib the empress approved annexation of a part of the territory of the East Circassia (Kabarda), having put, according to recognition of the imperial historian V.V.Potto, “a corner stone to the gain of Caucasus”.

Adygeyan people (occupied then the territory of Circassia (Adyghe Khaeku) from Taman in the West up to Sunja river in the East) within next 100 years till 1864 was resisting the aggression in all possible ways. As the imperial generals – participants of that war - admitted, against Adygs the imperial autocracy had committed the genocide of such scales unknown before to the mankind. In its aspiration to grasp Adygs’ lands the tsarism did not shun the any methods. Hundreds of Adygeyan villages were burnt out; women, old men, children were exterminated only because they named themselves Adyghe and lived on their own land. East Circassia – Kabarda – had been finally conquered in 1825; then the basic arena of the war struggle became Western Circassia which territory was settled down from Kuban river up to the Black sea.

21 May 2007, Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria

Adygs’ sufferings were used by the Ottoman empire and a number of the European powers rather quickly. Promising their help to the mountaineers exhausted in the unequal struggle, those countries pursued their own geopolitic interests while moving of the Russian empire into the south was generously paid with Adygs’ blood.

Having exterminated hundred thousands Adygs, lived in Kabarda, Beslenei, Temirgoi, Bgedughia, Shapsugia, Abadzehia, Natuhai, Ubyhia and other provinces of Circassia, practically completely having destroyed material culture, having taken away the best lands, the Russian tsarism had finally broken resistance of the rests of Adygs in 1864.

On May, 21st, 1864 in the natural boundary, in Abazinian language named Kbaade, in Adygeyan –Arty-K’uajae, and now carrying the name Red Glade, in commemoration of the victory over Adygs the deputy of Caucasus grand duke Michael Nikolaevich held a military parade and served a solemn service.

93 % Adygs either were lost, or were expelled by the conquerors to leave from their Native land to Turkey. Military-colonizational political regime having been established in the won territory of former Circassia created intolerable conditions of existence for survived Adygs which resulted to their emigration to Turkey proceeded till 1914. Now millions descendants of Adygeyan exiles – mahadjeers - live in tens countries all around the world. Even on their historical native land Adygeyan people appeared to be artificially divided into three "peoples" - Kabardians, Adygs and Circassians.

May, 21st is commemorated as the Day of memory of Adygs – victims of the Russian-Caucasian war. Mourning actions in Kabardino-Balkaria will pass by the monument to the war’s victims, fixed in the square near the Medical faculty of the Kabardino-Balkarian state University.

Everyone, who identifies himself as an Adyg, will pay homage to the memory of the victims on May, 21st at 10 o'clock in the morning at the monument "Tree of Life" (crossing of the streets Kabardian and Keshokov’s, Nalchik town).