(Un)Forgotten Caucasian War: Some Aspects of Constructing Historical Memory

The article endeavors to examine certain factors involved in the construction of historical memory among Chechens regarding the events of the Caucasian War. For the first time, the author conducts a sociological analysis based on empirical data to explore the perception of Chechens concerning the tragedy of the Caucasian War and its demographic, material-economic, sociocultural, and other consequences, thereby affirming the scientific novelty of the research. Using both theoretical and empirical materials, the study substantiates the thesis that the genocide of Chechens during the Caucasian War occupies a central place in the structure of their historical memory. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the significance of commemorative practices in shaping the historical memory of Chechens and the necessity of expanding the commemorative field. The research also highlights the problem of the emotional perception of historical events related to forced migrations by the respondents. This investigation contributes to a deeper understanding of how historical narratives are constructed and the role they play in the collective memory of affected communities.