Eskişehir Kuzey Kafkas Karaçay Malkar Kültür ve Yardımlaşma Derneği

Eskisehir North Caucasus Karachay-Malkar Culture and Solidarity Association Over the years, our association has gained significant expertise in project management through various grants provided by the Ministry of Interior. One of our flagship events, the Festival of Nart, has been organized for more than 25 years, welcoming international artists and fostering intercultural dialogue. The Karachay-Malkar people are a Turkic ethnic group originating from the North Caucasus, known for their unique Western Turkic dialect and rich cultural heritage. For nearly a century, they have been striving to preserve their culture and values as a community in the diaspora, in Turkiye. Our accumulated experience enables us to act as a reliable partner in international collaborations, particularly in projects related to cultural exchange, youth empowerment, and community development. The association is based in Eskisehir, a vibrant and dynamic city known as the “City of Youth” thanks to its three universities and large student population. Eskisehir is a member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities and is home to renowned cultural institutions such as the Odunpazari Modern Museum (OMM) and the Glass Arts Museum. With its high-speed rail connections to Istanbul and Ankara, Eskisehir offers excellent accessibility and stands out as a sustainable green travel destination. Founded in 1993, the Eskisehir North Caucasus Karachay-Malkar Culture and Solidarity Association brings together Karachay-Malkar Turks living in Turkey to preserve, promote, and share their rich cultural heritage. The Karachay-Malkar people are a Turkic community from the North Caucasus, speaking a distinctive dialect of Western Turkic and sharing a common history and traditions. Although referred to by two names due to differences in regional geography, they are one people with a shared identity. They inhabit the Karachay-Cherkess Republic and the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, both located within the Russian Federation, particularly in the regions surrounding Mount Elbrus. During the second half of the 19th century, following the expansionist policies of the Russian Empire, many peoples of the North Caucasus were forced to migrate to Ottoman lands, especially after the 1864 exile. Nearly one million people were resettled in Anatolia, while thousands lost their lives during the migration due to famine, disease, and harsh conditions. As part of the Caucasian diaspora, the Karachay-Malkar community strives to maintain its language, traditions, and customs. Our association plays a vital role in this effort by: • Organizing language, dance, and music courses for children and young people • Hosting an annual cultural and arts festival in Eskisehir, featuring dance groups and artists from the Caucasus • Developing projects to strengthen cultural sustainability and community engagement • Cooking workshops are held to keep the Karachay culinary traditions alive.