Latest news with #Circassians
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Book review: Fresh, relevant, and concise
The time it takes to write a book, and the gap between completing a book and it being published, makes tackling contemporary events tricky. This is particularly so in the turbulent rollercoaster that is world politics and conflict. But Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin has risen to the task in his new book, Unfinished Empire: Russian Imperialism in Ukraine and the Near Abroad. It is not just a study of contemporary politics. It has the added heft of history: charting the rise of Russian imperialism since the 15th century, Russian interests during communism, the post-Soviet era, and Russia's resurgence under Vladimir Putin. The author's landscape extends from Finland to the Baltics, focusing, naturally, on Ukraine, then onto the South Caucasus and the 'Stans' — the five Central Asian countries. Ó Beacháin, a professor of politics in DCU, complements academic knowledge with extensive personal experience of the so-called Russian 'Near Abroad', having lived and worked for 12 years in the region, conducting research in every post-Soviet state. There are other reasons to commend his book: it is refreshingly short at 218 pages — just 163 pages of the core book and the remainder a chronology, references, primary sources, and bibliography; and it is written in plain English. People move properties from an office building destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, last month. Picture: Evgeniy Maloletka/ AP Ó Beacháin's central concern is Russian imperialism and — similar to other empires — the damage it causes to those at the receiving end. He covers the expansion of what was a small country to a sprawling land empire — from the reigns of Ivan 'The Terrible', Peter I — who Putin is a fan of — to Catherine II (The Great). The reader learns of the grim fate for many indigenous peoples on the way, such as the Circassians. Ó Beacháin writes: 'As many as 1.5m Circassians lived in the Caucasus in 1860 of whom almost half are estimated to have perished as a result of Russia's annihilationist campaign.' Under communism, state-induced famines claimed at least four million lives in Ukraine and a third of Kazakhstan's indigenous population. Two central chapters cover Putin's two wars in Ukraine — first, the annexation of Crimea and Donbas in 2014 and second, the full-scale invasion in 2022. Ó Beacháin authoritatively dispatches the various 'reasons' Putin cited for the invasion — denazification, demilitarisation/spread of Nato, and protection of ethnic Russians. Separate chapters follow on Belarus, Moldova, South Caucasus, and the Central Asian states. In his final chapter, Ó Beacháin sums up: Russia's war on Ukraine has a 'clear, genocidal intent'; Putin has created the 'very bogey' he most feared — a Russia-hating Ukraine bent on joining the EU and Nato and has pushed Finland and Sweden into joining Nato. The author is critical of the EU and the US under Biden in the level and speed of their military help to Ukraine, stating the 'war could have ended quickly' if Ukraine got what they asked for at the time. Ó Beacháin knows that Trump II is the unknown factor — a US President who sees Ukraine as a 'pawn in a much larger game' and how this has 'emboldened Putin'. The author is clear what has to happen: Europe needs a sustainable peace; accountability for war crimes is essential and, more fundamentally, 'Russian defeat is necessary'. Perhaps because of space reasons, he does not set out exactly how this might happen or what the risks of implementing this might be. But Ó Beacháin finds hope in the ultimate concern of Putin — to stay in power and how this matters more than success in Ukraine. Ó Beacháin believes that if Putin sees that continuing the war will weaken his reign, the faster the war will end. Read More Book review: Warnings on Putin ignored at our peril
Ammon
21-05-2025
- General
- Ammon
Circassians mark Day of Mourning with cultural commemoration
Ammon News - Every year on May 21, the Circassian community in Jordan joins Circassians around the world in commemorating the Day of Mourning — a solemn remembrance of the end of the Caucasian War in 1864. This year, the Circassian Charity Association (CCA) hosts a commemoration in Amman, bringing together community members in traditional dress to honour their ancestors, share oral histories and reaffirm cultural identity through dance, food and storytelling. A cultural cornerstone Founded in 1932, the CCA is one of the oldest community institutions in Jordan. 'The association was established by Circassian students who had studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo,' said Ibrahim Ishaqat, president of the CCA. He noted that the association currently has around 7,000 members and operates several branches across the Kingdom, including a dedicated women's branch. Its headquarters in Amman houses a number of key facilities such as a traditional kitchen, a cultural and conference hall, a library, a school, and training centres. Tradition in practice In the association's kitchen, traditional dishes are prepared regularly for community events. Among the most iconic is chepse and pasta — a hearty Circassian dish made from bulgur, flour and other staple ingredients, often served on special occasions as a symbol of hospitality and cultural pride. These culinary traditions are passed down through generations and serve as a key expression of cultural pride. Music and dance are also essential components of community life. The Qafa dance, for example, is a signature Circassian group dance characterised by upright posture, precise steps and circular movements. It is often performed during weddings and formal gatherings to symbolise unity, discipline and grace. Voices of continuity For many Circassians, cultural preservation begins at home. 'We speak our native language at home to keep it alive for the younger generations,' said Sirine Shhlatough, an elder member of the association. 'I teach my grandchildren to respect elders and women — these are Circassian values. We also hold gatherings to share our stories and keep our culture alive,' she added. These personal efforts complement the institutional role played by the CCA in providing a platform for community engagement and intergenerational exchange. A legacy of leadership Ishaqat also highlighted prominent Circassian figures like former prime minister SaeedMufti and minister Wasfi Mirza have been associated with the CCA, reflecting the community's contributions to Jordan's development while maintaining cultural distinctiveness. A living heritage As Jordanian Circassians mark the Day of Mourning each year, the event serves not only as a memorial, but also as a celebration of cultural resilience. Through language, dance, cuisine and values, the CCA plays a vital role in safeguarding cultural identity and ensuring it is passed on to future generations. Jordan Times
Jordan Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Jordan Times
Circassians mark Day of Mourning with cultural commemoration
Circassians wearing traditional clothes perform a cultural dance (Photo courtesy of the Circassian Charity Association) AMMAN — Every year on May 21, the Circassian community in Jordan joins Circassians around the world in commemorating the Day of Mourning — a solemn remembrance of the end of the Caucasian War in 1864. This year, the Circassian Charity Association (CCA) hosts a commemoration in Amman, bringing together community members in traditional dress to honour their ancestors, share oral histories and reaffirm cultural identity through dance, food and storytelling. A cultural cornerstone Founded in 1932, the CCA is one of the oldest community institutions in Jordan. 'The association was established by Circassian students who had studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo,' said Ibrahim Ishaqat, president of the CCA, in an interview with The Jordan Times. He noted that the association currently has around 7,000 members and operates several branches across the Kingdom, including a dedicated women's branch. Its headquarters in Amman houses a number of key facilities such as a traditional kitchen, a cultural and conference hall, a library, a school, and training centres. Tradition in practice In the association's kitchen, traditional dishes are prepared regularly for community events. Among the most iconic is chepse and pasta — a hearty Circassian dish made from bulgur, flour and other staple ingredients, often served on special occasions as a symbol of hospitality and cultural pride. These culinary traditions are passed down through generations and serve as a key expression of cultural pride. Music and dance are also essential components of community life. The Qafa dance, for example, is a signature Circassian group dance characterised by upright posture, precise steps and circular movements. It is often performed during weddings and formal gatherings to symbolise unity, discipline and grace. Voices of continuity For many Circassians, cultural preservation begins at home. 'We speak our native language at home to keep it alive for the younger generations,' said Sirine Shhlatough, an elder member of the association. 'I teach my grandchildren to respect elders and women — these are Circassian values. We also hold gatherings to share our stories and keep our culture alive,' she added. These personal efforts complement the institutional role played by the CCA in providing a platform for community engagement and intergenerational exchange. A legacy of leadership Ishaqat also highlighted prominent Circassian figures like former prime minister SaeedMufti and minister Wasfi Mirza have been associated with the CCA, reflecting the community's contributions to Jordan's development while maintaining cultural distinctiveness. A living heritage As Jordanian Circassians mark the Day of Mourning each year, the event serves not only as a memorial, but also as a celebration of cultural resilience. Through language, dance, cuisine and values, the CCA plays a vital role in safeguarding cultural identity and ensuring it is passed on to future generations.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dan Rather Shaded Trump With A 'Turkish Proverb,' And It's Gone Hugely Viral
Dan Rather has some choice words, or rather, a little proverb for President Donald Trump. The veteran broadcast journalist and former 'CBS Evening News' anchor seemed to hit a nerve Monday, sharing on Facebook a post aimed squarely at Trump's tumultuous administration — to nearly one million likes and more than 60,000 comments. 'When a clown moves into a palace he doesn't become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb,' the post reads. Rather also shared a recent article of his in the comments of Monday's post about Trump's steep international tariffs and the U.S. economy, seemingly confirming the proverb was about him. The premise of a clown entering a palace seemed to strike a chord. 'Perfect description of what is going on right now. I never understood people's fear of clowns, until now…,' wrote one Facebook user, with another commenting: 'My daughter used to be afraid of clowns. Here is one we can all be afraid of.' Trump has certainly created the current White House in his image. The former reality television star forewent the Oval Office's traditional decor to include more gold, hawked Tesla vehicles on the grounds for his billionaire tech mogul buddy Elon Musk — and is practically selling U.S. citizenship for $5 million a pop. The proverb itself likely originated with the Circassians, Sunni Muslims from the Northwestern Caucasus, and is not specifically Turkish. Regional newspaper Türkiye Today noted as much after NBA star LeBron James shared the words on Instagram in February. 'Turkish proverb / American reality,' one user nonetheless argued on Rather's post Monday. In his career, Rather covered some of the biggest events in modern history, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War and 9/11. He was fired in 2006 over reporting on then-President George W. Bush's National Guard service — and later sued the network for $70 million. Rather has spent his retirement sharing his political thoughts on Facebook and Substack. Livid Jim Cramer Tears Into Trump For Making Him 'Feel Like A Sucker' On Tariffs CNN's Diehard Trump Fan Scott Jennings Makes Surprising Confession On Tariffs Critics Call Utter B.S. On Kellyanne Conway's Rebrand Of Trump's Tariffs
