The Caucasus Foundation organized a meaningful “Commemoration and Gratitude Program” on the occasion of its 30th anniversary, bringing together its founders, former presidents, executives, volunteers, and donors. During the event held in Istanbul, participants revisited the Foundation’s cultural, social, and academic contributions since 1995, and symbolic appreciation gifts were presented to the founding members and former presidents who have devotedly served the Foundation. Established on May 21, 1995, in Istanbul to preserve the identity, culture, and collective memory of the peoples displaced from the Caucasus on May 21, 1864, the Caucasus Foundation has, over the past thirty years, provided scholarships to thousands of students and conducted original works across a broad spectrum̶from cultural and artistic activities to academic research, humanitarian aid, and publishing. The program began with an opening address by Mr. Veysel Arıhan, Chairman of the Board of the Caucasus Foundation. Referring to the spirit of the Foundation’s establishment, Arıhan emphasized that it continues on the same path today: “We have never regarded this foundation merely as a volunteer organization; rather, we have seen it as a bridge of the heart extending to the Caucasus, a conscious sense of responsibility, and a family. The torch lit thirty years ago continues to be carried forward with the same faith and spirit by our youth today.” Defining the Foundation’s mission as “building the future rather than merely preserving the past,” Arıhan added: “The mission of the Caucasus Foundation is not solely to keep memories alive, but essentially to construct the future̶because a people live only as long as they can preserve their collective memory.” He concluded his remarks with a message of gratitude: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the story of this Foundation̶our founders, administrators, volunteers, donors, and friends̶through their efforts, prayers, and support. We are deeply grateful to all who honored this meaningful evening with their presence. Thank you, and may we celebrate many more decades together.” During the program, Prof. Dr. Fethi Güngör, Founding President of the Caucasus Foundation, also delivered a welcome address. Recalling the period following the dissolution of the USSR on December 21, 1991, and the renewed opportunities to travel to the Caucasus, he stated: “After my first journey from Sochi to Makhachkala in August 1992, I immediately began working to build a bridge of goodwill encompassing all the peoples of the Caucasus̶from Dagestan to Abkhazia. Together with 21 founding members representing the entire Caucasian community from various regions of Türkiye, we established the Foundation. We carried out activities in education, research, library and archival development, humanitarian aid, journalism, international conferences, and more. We have now entrusted the Foundation’s work entirely to our younger brothers and sisters, who continue to uphold this social legacy with great competence.” Following this, Dr. Emir Fatih Akbulat delivered an academic presentation titled “Thirty Years of the Caucasus Foundation: Preserving the Memory and Building the Future of the North Caucasian Diaspora.” The program continued

with a visual presentation entitled “A Bridge from the Diaspora to the Caucasus: The Thirty-Year Story of Building a Shared Future.” Subsequently, Board Members Rümeysa Elif Sarıaslan and Rumeysa Omar provided a briefing on the Foundation’s recent activities. Founding members, former presidents, and long-serving volunteers were invited to the stage to receive symbolic tokens of appreciation. Deceased founding members and volunteers were remembered with prayers, and letters of gratitude were presented to their families. As it marks its 30th anniversary, the Caucasus Foundation aims to diversify its activities and continue to serve as a lasting cultural bridge between the Caucasus and the diaspora, carrying this legacy confidently into the future. The 30th Anniversary Commemoration and Gratitude Program, held on Friday evening, October 17, at Fatih Municipality Çatladıkapı Social Facilities in Istanbul, concluded with a “Commemorative Dinner.”