21/05/2026
⚫ Shyshagh: Imaginary Circassian Underground
21 May is the Circassian Day of Remembrance — the memorial day for the victims of the Russo-Caucasian War.
The war of 1763–1864 ended with the loss of independence for the North Caucasus and, for Circassians, genocide and mass exile from their historical homeland.
Since the 1990s, 21 May has been an official day of mourning. But in the North Caucasus, two narratives still coexist uneasily: one about the “voluntary incorporation” of the region into Russia, and another about colonial war, genocide, and exile.
The first is supported by the state. The second is steadily pushed out of public space.
Since 2016, we’ve released albums dedicated to this dark date. And every year, the text around them has remained almost the same: we speak about trauma, and about how difficult it is to speak about trauma when the space for dialogue keeps shrinking.
This year, however, we decided to shift the focus away from trauma itself — or from the Russo-Caucasian War directly — and instead present a cross-section of new Circassian music: music that is not only surviving, but actively evolving.
“Shyshagh” (ЩIыщIагъ — “underground”) is Ored Recordings’ vision of an imaginary Circassian underground scene: from black metal and ethereal electronics to acoustic drone and indie folk.
Another 21 May comes, and we still see little reason for optimism. But we are still here. Still ready to come together and continue.
Listen to “Shyshagh” on Bandcamp: https://oredrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/shyshagh-imaginary-circassian-underground
