World Circassian Flag Day

Circassian Flag Day is a national observance celebrated annually on April 25 by Circassian communities worldwide. This special day is dedicated to honoring the historical and cultural significance of the Circassian flag, which symbolizes the identity, historical struggle, and unity of the Circassian people.

Circassian Flag Day Events, Istanbul, 2022 (WunafeTV)

(Anadolu Agency)

Origin and Meaning of the Flag

The Circassian flag was first adopted in 1830 during the period of the Circassian Union, when Circassian tribes united against Russia. Designed under the leadership of Sefer Bey Zaniko, the flag features a green field with twelve golden stars and three crossed arrows. The stars represent the Circassian tribes, while the arrows symbolize peace among the clans. This flag is also known among the people as “Sancak-ı Şerif”.

Circassian and Turkish flags in the commemoration program (Anadolu Ajansı)

History

During the 101-year-long Caucasian War from 1763 to 1864, the Circassians suffered a massive genocide as a result of Russia’s policies of destruction and forced displacement. Approximately 90 percent of the population was either killed or exiled. After the war, around two million Circassians were compelled to migrate to Ottoman territories. During this period, some of the twelve tribes were entirely eradicated.

The Circassian flag was revived in 1918 during the short-lived North Caucasus Mountain Republic. During the Soviet era, however, the flag was banned, identities were fragmented, and traditional symbols were systematically erased. Nevertheless, the people continued to preserve the flag through handicrafts, jewelry, and even tattoos.

Circassian Flag Day in the Modern Era

In the 1980s, as the Soviet regime began to relax, the Circassian flag reappeared in public life. Following an agreement with the Kremlin in 1991, the flag gained official status in the newly established Adyghe Autonomous Republic. In 2010, the Adyghe Parliament declared April 25 as World Circassian Flag Day and called upon the entire diaspora to observe it.

Significance and Importance

Circassian Flag Day is not merely a remembrance of a historical symbol; it is also an expression of cultural resistance, the desire for freedom, and national unity. For the Circassian diaspora, this day represents a positive reclamation of the memory of the great exile that occurred on May 25, 1864.

Today, official commemorations take place in the Republics of Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay-Cherkessia, while in the diaspora the day is observed through social and cultural events.

Protests from the Circassian Deportation (Anadolu Agency)