Conditions of Announced Competition on the Memorial in Remembrance of the Victims of Circassians (Adygues) Genocide In the period of the Russian-Caucasian War (1763-1864), the colonial policy of the Russian Empire resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Circassian (Adyghian) people. The political and military leadership of the empire planned far in advance and then accomplished at first the devastation of the Circassian territories and then, in the desolated places, purposeful settlement of other ethnic groups.

It is recognized fact that in a result of numerous punishing military expeditions, 90% of Circassian (Adyghian) population was physically destroyed, or deported from their homeland.

Numerous official documents of the Russian Empire confirm the offensive acts of the Empire military units during the Russian-Caucasian War, particularly, non-natural starvations and epidemics, aiming physical annihilation of the peaceful population - representatives of Circassian origin.

The history of the latest period of the humanity knows quite many cases of the nations' genocide, but the case of the Circassian (Adyghian) genocide is completely different, for as distinguished from others, Circassians (Adyghians), together with two third of their population lost their homeland and so occurred scattered in more than 50 countries of the world.

On May 20, 2011 Georgian Parliament officially recognized the fact of Circassian (Adyghian) people's genocide by the Russian Empire, which was followed by the corresponding N1446, 12 July, 2011 Decree of Georgian Government. According to the mentioned Decree, the competition will be announced on building the memorial for immortalization of the memory of victims of the genocide. The memorial will be placed in the city Anaklia, that means in the place, where in 19 century, Circassian (Adyghian) habitants' numerous flows passed through from their homeland during their deportation to the Ottoman Empire.

Additional information and advisory services:

The Office of State Minister of Georgia on Diaspora Issues

Tel: +995 32 2180535; +995 32 2368966;

email: info@diaspora.gov.ge

Address: Tbilisi, 7 Ingorokva str.

The Information on the competition terms and conditions is available on the official website of the Office of State Minister of Georgia on Diaspora Issues: www.diaspora.gov.ge