Circassian conference in Ankara

IMG_2955The conference Gelenek ve Gelecek. Türkiye Çerekeslerinin Günsel Sorunlari (Tradition and Future) was organized by Kafkas Dernekleri Federasyonu in Ankara on May 13.  IMG_0720The second session focused on Circassian linguistic issues and how to teach Circassian and other minority languages in Turkey.  This includes the development of study materials for the teaching of Circassian as an elective school subject (photo to the right).

On the photo above,  Prof. Karina Vamling, Section for Caucasus Studies, Malmö University, together with co-panelists Assist. Prof. Dr. Yasemin Oral (above, to the left), Istanbul University Hasan Ali Yucel, and Ass. Prof. Sinem Vatanartiran (above, to the right), Bahçeşehir University. Photo below: preparing for the panel. IMG_2950

The time in Ankara included a visit together with Muhittin Unal and Erol Taymaz to the head-quarters of the organisation Kafkas Dernekleri Federasyonu, that had recently moved to a new address in the picturesque old town.IMG_2960

The centre holds an impressive library with Circassian and other North Caucasian books on different topics and in many languages. IMG_2962