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

Hakkı Emre YUNT Consul General
Monday - Friday

08:30 - 12:30 / 13:00 - 17:00

Servicing the provinces of Overijssel, Gelderland, Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe and Limburg.
3/20/2026 3/20/2026 Ramazan Bayramı
4/6/2026 4/6/2026 Paskalya
4/27/2026 4/27/2026 Milli Gün (Kralın Doğumgünü)
5/5/2026 5/5/2026 Kurtuluş Günü
5/14/2026 5/14/2026 Dini Bayram
5/25/2026 5/25/2026 Dini Bayram
5/27/2026 5/27/2026 Kurban Bayramı
10/29/2026 10/29/2026 Cumhuriyet Bayramı
12/25/2026 12/26/2026 Noel Tatili
1/1/2027 1/4/2027 Yeni Yıl