DUZCE / TÜRKİYE — The Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centres in Türkiye (ABHAZFED) has elected a new president during its 9th Congress, held on 23 November in Düzce. Delegates reviewed a comprehensive report on the organisation’s recent work before proceeding to a key leadership vote.

Two candidates stood for the presidency: Elif Marshan and Yavuz Atrishba. In the ballot, a majority of the 333 delegates voted for Yavuz Atrishba, a veteran of the 1992–1993 Georgian–Abkhaz War (Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia), electing him as the Federation’s new president.

ISTANBUL  — The Federation of Abkhaz Associations in Türkiye (Abhaz Dernekleri Federasyonu) has announced that its wheelchair solidarity campaign for Abkhazia has surpassed ₺800,000 ($19,387) in donations as of 25 September 2025. The campaign was launched to provide wheelchairs to veterans, young people with disabilities and hospitals across Abkhazia.

This brief analysis examines three potential trends emerging in the aftermath of recent developments in Syria regarding the Circassian community: the deepening isolation of Syrian Circassians, the increasing influence of Israeli Circassians, and the strengthening of Circassian diaspora identity. The article was originally published in Turkish in Jineps Newspaper, a publication dedicated to covering issues, traditions, and cultures of Caucasian peoples, particularly the Circassians, and has been translated into English by AbkhazWorld.

ISTANBUL — The Federation of Abkhaz Associations in Türkiye (ABHAZFED), in collaboration with the Şamil Education and Culture Foundation, the Alan Culture and Assistance Foundation, and the Caucasus Foundation, has announced a special event addressing the recent developments in Abkhazia.

Ankara Circassian Association (Ankara Çerkes Derneği) is facing forced eviction by Çankaya Municipality, despite the Yaşamkent Social Facility being built with the financial contributions of Circassians across Türkiye. The municipality initiated legal proceedings to vacate the facility, rejecting a request to extend the 10-year lease agreement. In response, the association held a large meeting with widespread participation on 1 December to inform members and discuss the situation.

KAYSERİ — In the district of Pınarbaşı, located in the city of Kayseri, Türkiye, known for its dense Circassian and Abaza population, the mayoral election was annulled following objections from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). During the local elections held last Sunday, the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate, Deniz Yağan, secured a win with 5,082 votes, narrowly defeating MHP’s candidate and incumbent mayor, Menduh Uzunluoğlu, who received 4,758 votes.

ISTANBUL ― The Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centres (ABHAZFED), a prominent institution within the Turkish Abkhaz diaspora, has sent a letter to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, advocating for the inclusion of Abkhaz children in the celebrations of April 23rd, National Sovereignty and Children's Day.

ISTANBUL — The delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia, led by President Tamila Mertskhulava, participated in the 'Caucasus Cultural Meetings' event, hosted by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in collaboration with civil society organisations.

ISTANBUL — The album "Çerkes Ninenin Ninnileri" (Circassian Grandmother's Lullabies) curated by Marem Gökhan Şen, was released on World Mother Language Day under the Kalan Music label.

Bianet — Abkhaz language teacher İrfan Okuyucu (Ahocba) highlights a significant issue with the "Living Languages and Dialects" course in schools: "The biggest problem is the shortage of teachers, and even when available, the pay is far from adequate.

As World Mother Language Day (February 21) draws near, instructors of "Living Languages and Dialects" courses recount their experiences to bianet, from personal struggles for their mother tongue to their experiences in the classroom.