The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue 7 11.07.02 Chechen culture Fine Arts Chechnyas National Museum There were 2 museums in Chechnyas capital Grozny till the mid 90s, including the Museum of Regional Studies of the Chechen-Ingush Republic that would have marked its 77th anniversary this year and the Pyotr Zakharov Republican Fine Arts Museum, that was founded in the early 60s last century. These were the biggest museums in the North Caucasus. For example, the museum of regional studies had 250,000 items in storage. Serious damage was done to the two museums collections in the course of hostilities in Chechnya. Therefore, for the preservation of all the remaining exhibits it was decided to unite those two museums. By the resolution of October 16th, 1996, the two museums merged into one, which later became known as Chechnyas National Museum. Today the new museum occupies the building that earlier belonged to the former fine arts museum. Now under consideration is the handover to the national museum of the former Grozny department store, which in its interior and exterior architecture is ideally suited for displaying the museum exhibits. The general director of Chechnyas national museum Vahi Astanov believes that the main task the museum workers are facing at present is to preserve what has remained of the former collections and restore the damaged exhibits. The personnel of the national Academician Grabar Restoration Centre in Moscow offer effective help to their Grozny colleagues. At the moment they are restoring about 90 paintings of the well-known Russian and Chechen artists. Chechnyas National Museum plans to gradually replenish its collection. It has 3 branches, including the Leo Tolstoy Literature and Ethnographic Museum in the Staro-Gladovskaya Cossack Village, the museum of the poet Arbi Mamakayev, one of the founding fathers of the Chechen literature, in the Nadterechnoye Village, and a museum of regional studies in the Makhtity Village in the Vedeno District. In fact, no damage was done to all these three branches, which have been working normally through the past decade. All these three branches regularly organize various cultural events. In summer of 2001 the Leo Tolstoy Literature and Ethnographic Museum hosted festivities, devoted to the 150th birth anniversary of this great Russian writer. A regional conference on Leo Tolstoys links with Chechnya was held in the Staro-Gladovskaya Cossack Village as part of those festivities. (more about chechen culture... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=§ion=cultureeng) Famous Chechens Military men Magomed Uzuyev The name of the Brest fortress - the first Soviet stronghold to rebuff the Nazi invaders - will remain forever in the pages of the history of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The names of its heroic defenders, including that of ethnic Chechen Magomed Uzuyev, have been engraved on a memorial plaque. Uzuyev joined the 333d Rifle Regiment of the Red Army in the Belarussian city of Brest, one year before the war. Promoted to Sergeant, he helped his platoon commander to drilll recuits. Bomb and shell blasts woke Brest up in the small hours of June 22, 1941. Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union without a formal declaration of war. The Brest Fortress was seen as an important stronghold on the Union's western border. Magomed was one of those who defended the fortress against the superior forces of Germany's 45th infantry division supported by tanks, artillery and aviation. It was for nearly a month that the Brest Fortress was containing the Nazi advance. The Soviets were fighting in extremely difficult conditions - they had run out of water, food and medicines. The frontline had long moved way off to the east: the Germans had in the first days of the war been rapidly gaining terrain. They had approached the Ukrainian capital Kiev. But Brest would not lay down weapons! Its defenders prefered death to surrender even though their ranks shrank with each passing day. Magomed Uzuyev was one of those who fought to the last. A public leader and fiction writer Khalid Oshayev spent years in an effort to find out more about the defense of the Brest Fortress. He paid many visits to Brest and other cities and villages of Belarus and Ukraine, as well as to Moscow and Leningrad. Everywhere he went, he studied archive materials and met with living defenders of the Brest Fortress. Oshayev wrote a documentary essay, titled "The Fiery Brest, A Hard Nut To Crack," about Magomed Uzuyev and some 300 other armymen who had come to defend Brest from the Chechen-Ingush Republic of the Russian Federation.He focused on the fates of Usayev, Baibekov, Zakriyev, Elmurzayev and Sadayev, to name but a few of these. It was thanks to his efforts that Magomed Uzuyev was posthumously made a Hero of Russia. An ethnic Chechen who had fought side by side with ethnic Russians, Ukrainians and Kazakhs before meeting death in the Belarussian Fortress of Brest, Uzuyev is, indeed, a hero of Russia. (more about famous chechens... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=§ion=famouseng) Chechen cuisine Grain dishes Chepalgash - pancakes (serves 1) Dough: wheat flour - 100 g , yogurt - 100 g , baking soda - 0.2 g , salt - 0.5 g Filling: cottage cheese - 75 g , egg - a quarter , salt - 0.5 g , butter- 20 g To make dough, combine flour with warm yogurt, add salt and baking soda, blend thoroughly. Mix cottage cheese with egg and salt. Cut batter into pieces of 200 to 230 grams each. Roll out until they are 0.3 centimeters thick. Place filling in center of each piece of dough, roll over and press to seal and roll out until they are 1 to 1.5 cm thick. Bake in ungreased griddle turning them over at regular intervals. When ready, brush both sides with hot water to make chepalgash soft and to remove burnt flour. Brush with butter, put pancakes one on top of another. To serve, cut each chepalgash into 4 to 8 pieces and sprinkle these with melted butter. Potatoes may be used instead of cottage cheese for filling. (more about cuisine... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=§ion=kitcheneng) Chechen diary 11 July 2002 Students of the Chechen studio give exams successfully 25 students, 20 boys and 5 girls, from the Chechen studio of Nakhi studying at the State Academy of Culture and arts in Khimky, near Moscow, have successfully completed the first year and have been transferred to the second course. Their last examination was acting skill. The director of the studio, peoples artist of Russia Mimalt Coltsaev prepared fragments of Romeo and Juliet to show the examination commission. The commission headed by head of the production and acting skill department professor Victor Zykov unanimously put excellent marks to all Chechen students who took part in the performance and praised the acting of Milana Bogatyreva who played the role of Juliet and Ali Ibragimov (Marcus). The Chechen diaspora in Moscow, bankers, businessmen and cultural figures, were invited to see the performance of the studio at the examination. The honoured artist of the Checheno-Ingush autonomous republic, writer Musa Geschaev described the students as hope of the Chechen theatre. The chairman of the Moscow Industrial Bank Abubakr Arsamakov presented money and tickets to spend the vacation in Turkey. He also presented a bus to the studio. Businessman Amadi Temischev organized a banquet. The students will shortly leave for Chechnya and then Turkey. (more from Chechen diary http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=§ion=diaryeng) 10 July 2002 Russia continues to reduce its forces in the North Caucasus Russia has been reducing its forces in the North Caucasus as planned. The commander of Russian forces Colonel-General Vladimir Moltenskoi has said that the withdrawal of troops from Chechnya might end by the end of the year. He said that the number of servicemen had been reduced in all districts. 2 000 policemen have been removed from Chechnya. Local police units have started to carry out their functions and are guarding heads of local administrations and maintaining law and order in towns and villages. The tactical group of the Defence Ministry was completely withdrawn from western Chechnya. Since the situation in Chechnya is returning to normal there is no need for its further presence. According to Vladimir Moltenskoi, at present there are about 10000 servicemen from the Defence, Interior, Justice and Emergency Situation ministries and other security agencies in Chechnya. After the troops withdrawal the Russian forces in the North Caucasus will consist of 22 000 servicemen from the Defence Ministry. 14 000 out of them will form the manpower of the 42nd motorized rifle division and the rest will form the commandants offices. Vladimir Moltenskoi said that the federal security service would hand over its functions of carrying out the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya to either Interior Ministry or commandants offices later this year. (more from Chechen diary http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=§ion=diaryeng) 08 July 2002 Abu Arsanukaev appeals for amnesty The former head of the security service in the Dudaev regime Abu Arsanukaev has applied for amnesty. He personally made this appeal to the head of the Chechen administration Akhmad Kadyrov. In his letter he insists that he committed no crimes and has nothing to do with the activity of illegal militant groups. In 1999 Maskhadov appointed him as deputy prosecutor-general of Ichkeria, Chechnya. During the Dudaev rule Arsanukaev considered the most influential person and close associate of General Dudaev. He involved in fighting against Russian forces during the first Chechen campaign. But when the anti-terrorist campaign started he left the republic. Arsanukaevs has made an unprecedented move. Meanwhile, several militant groups have lately surrendered weapons. All this show that a growing trend that more and more separatist start to understand the present day reality. According to a surrendered militant, separatists had the choice either to return to peaceful life or become a real culprit. Common sense is getting upper hand. (more from Chechen diary http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=§ion=diaryeng) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Religion in Chechnya Islam in Chechnya Penetration of Islam into Chechen and Ingush tribal communities in the 13th 15th centuries was accompanied by peoples consolidation on the confessional principle. As official religion, Islam was first adopted in Simsim kingdom in the south-east of Chechnya in the days of the Golden Horde. The Islamic state, which was situated on the territory of present-day Nozhaiyurt and Gudermes districts, was an ally of the co-religionist Horde, whereas residents of south-western communities (Myalkhs, Melkhistintsys, Lam-Akkis) stayed Christian mainly and adhered to Adat a code of unwritten laws. Islam was adopted by people outside the control of the Golden Horde that called themselves Nashakh freemen community, as they moved on to flat areas. Though the Golden Horde had fallen, Islam had struck deep roots at the foothills of the Caucasus due to its moral laws, social justice and civil freedom that proved more attractive than adat law. Though, in many provisions Adat and Sharia turned out to be allies. Hence , allegations by some Chechen authors and atheist scientists that Islam was taken up by Chechens comparatively recently, are groundless enough. That most Chechens were Muslims back in the 15th 16th centuries, is indicated by the burial rite. The period, to be more exact, 1405-1406, marked the construction of the first known monuments of Muslim architecture the Borg-Kash Mausoleum near the village of Plievo in Nazran district. The mausoleum was erected in honour of a certain Bek-Sultan, son of Khudainado. Intensive penetration of Islam was facilitated by the economic, cultural and political ties between Chechens and Ingushes and people of Kabarda, Kumykia, the Crimean Khanate, Ottoman Turkey and Shakh Persia. In the 16th and 17th centuries Veinakhs established closer economic, cultural and political ties with other peoples of the North Caucasus professing Islam. The mere historical development pointed to the inevitability of Islam taking root in the region and that was an event of historic importance to the mountaineers. With the development of flat areas, farming, cattle-breeding and trade were boostingand people became conscious of the good points of Islam. Legends have it that the first preachers of Islam in Chechen community were Termol, Bat and Bers. They say the sermons brought about all sorts of reaction. And this is understandable, since the history of other peoples and countries knows only too well what difficulties might arise with the adoption of a new faith. As for the highlands, Islam was slow to spread. At the beginning the new religion was taking in age-old traditions trying to adjust to them. Quite often, around family vaults there appeared stelas that were erected over Muslim graves of relatives, who had departed from the old funeral rites but maintained links with pagan kinsmen. (in detail... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=religioneng&row=2) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chechen history From conflict to stability Scientists sharing their views on ways to normalize the situation in Chechen republic Prominent Russian and foreign scientists have published a collection of articles looking at the Chechen conflict and suggesting ways to resolve it. The collection, called Chechnya: From Conflict to Stability, bases on the materials of the international scientific conference Chechnya: From Conflict to Accord that took place in Moscow in November 2000. The book was published by the Russian Academy of Sciences, the N.Miklukho-Maklai Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology and the Foundation for Humanitarian Assistance to Chechen republic. Opinions on the problem, which has become the tragedy and pain of both Chechen and Russian people in the past 10 years, differ, - begins his article Economic and Social Consequences of Chechen Conflict: Ways out of the Crisis Malik Saidullaev, a prominent Chechen public leader and businessman. Dan Smith from the Institute of Peace in Oslo offers his opinion in an article about armed conflicts. Research on economic and social issues encompasses an article by Candidate of Philosophy Vakhit Akaev about the state of modern Islamic trends in Chechnya, including the conflict between followers of traditional Islam and wahhabism. An article by Professor Igor Kosikov is devoted to the activity of federal center and local authorities to restore the economy and create the state apparatus of the Chechen republic. The head of the department in charge of the restoration of the education system of Chechen republic of the Russian Education Ministry Vasily Mizherikov examines the current state of education system in Chechnya. Other authors comprise eminent Russian scientists and public leaders Valery Tishkov, Dzhabrail Gakaev, Ander Yandarov, Galina Zaurbekova, Mansur Magomadov, Yavus Akhmadov, Musa Ovkhadov, Khasan Musalatov, German Khaskhanov, Shamil Beno, Ruslan Nashkhoev, Baudin Umalatov, Mikhail Khripkov. The book ends with 23 recommendations summing up the experts opinion as to what to do next to normalize the situation in Chechnya. They run as follows: 1. There has to be an expert analysis on all aspects of work to restore the economic, social, cultural and legal spheres of Chechen republic. The scientists propose setting up an expert council under the Russian Academy of Sciences, the North-Caucasian department of the ethnological monitoring Network. 2. Government authorities should coordinate their work with public organizations that want peace and stability for Chechnya. 3. The scientists recommend that the Russian government set up a monthly bulletin telling about financing and restoration work and the situation in the republic. 4. The news media should pay special attention to the ideological aspects of struggle against armed separatism, encourage peaceful sentiments among Chechens, dismantle anti-Chechen sentiments in the Russian society and provide international community with unbiased information on the situation in Chechnya. 5. Federal authorities should assure the nation, including Chechnya, that there can be no return to rebel rule in the republic and that the current process of establishing federal control of the Chechen republic is irreversible. 6-8. With a view to draw a maximum number of residents in the restoration process local administrations have to be shored up and taken under protection. Local authorities are capable of standing up to the militants and are important partners to power and civil administrations on the federal and republican levels. Village administrations should be given the right to regulate financial and material resources and while doing so report to republican authorities directly bypassing district administrations. Civil rule in the republic will thereby be restored. District leaders should be appointed on agreement with local administration leaders and guarantee the work of district law enforcement departments, health protection etc. 9. Its important to support private businesses and free non-governmental enterprises from taxes. (in detail... http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=historyeng&row=4) Copyright CHECHNYA FREE.RU http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=news.media.chechnyafree http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com