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Qabala, Azerbaijan, 2016.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter III: Multiculturalism and multilingualism
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Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter III: Multiculturalism and multilingualism
GEOGRAPHY OF PEOPLES
The complex mountainous terrain, the abundance of remote valleys, and the location of the Eastern Caucasus and the Alps on the migration routes of various peoples meant that many nationalities, languages, and denominations coexisted in these regions.
GEOGRAPHY OF PEOPLES
The complex mountainous terrain, the abundance of remote valleys, and the location of the Eastern Caucasus and the Alps on the migration routes of various peoples meant that many nationalities, languages, and denominations coexisted in these regions.
GEOGRAPHY OF PEOPLES
The complex mountainous terrain, the abundance of remote valleys, and the location of the Eastern Caucasus and the Alps on the migration routes of various peoples meant that many nationalities, languages, and denominations coexisted in these regions.
THE CAUCASUS
In the Caucasus, the villages of Lezgins, Avars, Rutuls, Laks, Tsakhur, and Dargins, Aghuls, Azerbaijanis are located nearby. In the neighboring regions of Azerbaijan, Lezgins, Avars, Tsakhurs, Udins, Russians, Tatars, Khynalygs, Ingiloys have lived side by side with the representatives of the titular nation for many centuries.
THE CAUCASUS
In the Caucasus, the villages of Lezgins, Avars, Rutuls, Laks, Tsakhur, and Dargins, Aghuls, Azerbaijanis are located nearby. In the neighboring regions of Azerbaijan, Lezgins, Avars, Tsakhurs, Udins, Russians, Tatars, Khynalygs, Ingiloys have lived side by side with the representatives of the titular nation for many centuries.
Khinalug and Lezgin, Khinalug village, Azerbaijan, 2016.
Natural borders have historically formed small and rather isolated groups that have retained their identity and linguistic characteristics. Boundaries began to blur as transport improved and roads were built — more mixed families appeared, and little-used languages were gradually forgotten.
Natural borders have historically formed small and rather isolated groups that have retained their identity and linguistic characteristics. Boundaries began to blur as transport improved and roads were built — more mixed families appeared, and little-used languages were gradually forgotten.
Udine people, Nij village, Azerbaijan, 2016.
In the Qabala region of Azerbaijan, the Lezgian population makes up about half of the inhabitants, but despite this, the Lezgian language is gradually going out of use. Only representatives of the older generation communicate with each other in Lezgian.
In the Qabala region of Azerbaijan, the Lezgian population makes up about half of the inhabitants, but despite this, the Lezgian language is gradually going out of use. Only representatives of the older generation communicate with each other in Lezgian.
Duruja village, Azerbaijan, 2016.
Duruja village, Azerbaijan, 2016.
THE ALPS
THE ALPS
In Switzerland, multiculturalism and multilingualism are enshrined at the state level: The country is divided into three major zones where the main languages are French, German and Italian. It is crucial to mention that smaller language groups also border them.
In Switzerland, multiculturalism and multilingualism are enshrined at the state level: The country is divided into three major zones where the main languages are French, German and Italian. It is crucial to mention that smaller language groups also border them.
Swiss Jean-Jérôme was born, grew up and lived all his life in Saviese. He worked as a flight dispatcher at the local airport. He is fluent in Patois — the local version of French. His children do not understand Patois anymore. In the canton of Valais, almost no one speaks it, but you can still find written names of rivers on street signs, for example.
Swiss Jean-Jérôme was born, grew up and lived all his life in Saviese. He worked as a flight dispatcher at the local airport. He is fluent in Patois — the local version of French. His children do not understand Patois anymore. In the canton of Valais, almost no one speaks it, but you can still find written names of rivers on street signs, for example.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
UNIQUE COMMUNITIES
THE CAUCASUS
The village of Miskinja in Dagestan is the only Lezgian settlement in which the inhabitants profess Shiite Islam.
THE CAUCASUS
The village of Miskinja in Dagestan is the only Lezgian settlement in which the inhabitants profess Shiite Islam.
Miskinja village, Dokuzparinsky district, Dagestan, 2019.
Miskinja village, Dokuzparinsky district, Dagestan, 2019.
The central religious event of the year for Shiites is the first ten days of the Muslim month of Muharram. These days, the citizens of Miskinja gather in the mosques and remember the tragic events in the life of the Imam (in 680, Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and his followers were killed in the Battle of Karbala).
The central religious event of the year for Shiites is the first ten days of the Muslim month of Muharram. These days, the citizens of Miskinja gather in the mosques and remember the tragic events in the life of the Imam (in 680, Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and his followers were killed in the Battle of Karbala).
Miskinja village, Dokuzparinsky district, Dagestan, 2019.
Mourning Shiite banners can be seen in the center of the village, which are hung, among other things, on the monument to the heroes who died in the Great Patriotic War. The turning point of the mourning is the gathering of all the villagers near the sacred place — Yusuf’s pir, where selected men and boys take part in a ritual procession, while the rest of the inhabitants watch it.
The members of the expedition were allowed to attend the Ashura ceremony, granted that no photography would be taken. The photos used below were provided to us by journalist Vladimir Sevrinovsky, who has been writing about Dagestan for many years.
The members of the expedition were allowed to attend the Ashura ceremony, granted that no photography would be taken. The photos used below were provided to us by journalist Vladimir Sevrinovsky, who has been writing about Dagestan for many years.
Mourning Shiite banners can be seen in the center of the village, which are hung, among other things, on the monument to the heroes who died in the Great Patriotic War. The turning point of the mourning is the gathering of all the villagers near the sacred place — Yusuf’s pir, where selected men and boys take part in a ritual procession, while the rest of the inhabitants watch it.
The members of the expedition were allowed to attend the Ashura ceremony, granted that no photography would be taken. The photos used below were provided to us by journalist Vladimir Sevrinovsky, who has been writing about Dagestan for many years.
The members of the expedition were allowed to attend the Ashura ceremony, granted that no photography would be taken. The photos used below were provided to us by journalist Vladimir Sevrinovsky, who has been writing about Dagestan for many years.
SHALBUZDAG MOUNTAIN
The holy mountain Shalbuzdag, one of the highest peaks of Dagestan (4142 meters above sea level), is located on the border of the districts Akhtyn and Dokuzparinsky.
The Caucasus
SHALBUZDAG MOUNTAIN
The Caucasus
The holy mountain Shalbuzdag, one of the highest peaks of Dagestan (4142 meters above sea level), is located on the border of the districts Akhtyn and Dokuzparinsky.
Pilgrimage to Mount Shalbuzdag, Dagestan, 2016.
The pilgrimage to this mountain has a great importance for Dagestan and is connected with the worship of the tombs of the saints buried here (the most important are pir Suleiman and pir Erenlar) and the spring Zam-Zam.
The pilgrimage to this mountain has a great importance for Dagestan and is connected with the worship of the tombs of the saints buried here (the most important are pir Suleiman and pir Erenlar) and the spring Zam-Zam.
THE ALPS
Isolated settlements, however, not for religious, but for cultural reasons, can be found in Switzerland as well.
In the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, there is only one village, Bosco Gurin, where German is the main language.
THE ALPS
Isolated settlements, however, not for religious, but for cultural reasons, can be found in Switzerland as well.
In the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, there is only one village, Bosco Gurin, where German is the main language.
Bosco Gurin, Canton Ticino, Switzerland. Photo: Myswitzerland.com.
MIGRATIONS AND COEXISTENCE
THE ALPS
Locals note that each canton is like a separate country: with its own rules, laws, and bureaucracy. In many ways, it is easier to move from Switzerland to another country than to a neighboring canton. However, internal migration still exists.
MIGRATIONS AND COEXISTENCE
THE ALPS
Locals note that each canton is like a separate country: with its own rules, laws, and bureaucracy. In many ways, it is easier to move from Switzerland to another country than to a neighboring canton. However, internal migration still exists.
Stefano Gobi
The Alps
Stefano, a baker from the canton of Ticino, moved to Valais to start a new life after a complicated divorce. He says that he chose this canton because of the nature and atmosphere that is close to him. Changing Italian to French was easy for him.
Stefano Gobi, San Pierre De Klage, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Stefano, a baker from the canton of Ticino, moved to Valais to start a new life after a complicated divorce. He says that he chose this canton because of the nature and atmosphere that is close to him. Changing Italian to French was easy for him.
Stefano Gobi, San Pierre De Klage, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Stefano Gobi
The Alps
THE CAUCASUS
Mamedkala is the most diverse settlement of Southern Dagestan in terms of the ethnic composition of the population.
People from different villages came to work at the local Aliyev State Wine farm: Azerbaijani, Dargin, Lezgin. The importance of ethnicity is felt in the relationship of the villagers here less than anywhere else in Dagestan.
THE CAUCASUS
Mamedkala is the most diverse settlement of Southern Dagestan in terms of the ethnic composition of the population.
People from different villages came to work at the local Aliyev State Wine farm: Azerbaijani, Dargin, Lezgin. The importance of ethnicity is felt in the relationship of the villagers here less than anywhere else in Dagestan.
A family from the village of Mamedkala, Dagestan, 2016.
THE ALPS
THE ALPS
Despite the fact that Switzerland is one of the most difficult countries for immigration in terms of bureaucracy, almost 30% of the population are immigrants.
Despite the fact that Switzerland is one of the most difficult countries for immigration in terms of bureaucracy, almost 30% of the population are immigrants.
Martin and Maria moved to Switzerland from Germany more than 20 years ago to study local cattle breeding. They lived in the mountains for a long time, until farmers from Andeer asked them to settle down and start making cheese from their milk. Here in Andeer and the surrounding area, we met the chef of a local hotel who came from Belgium, his assistant from Strasbourg, and a baker from Holland — and they are not all foreigners in a tiny town in the mountains.
Martin and Maria
The Alps
Martin and Maria
The Alps
Martin and Maria moved to Switzerland from Germany more than 20 years ago to study local cattle breeding. They lived in the mountains for a long time, until farmers from Andeer asked them to settle down and start making cheese from their milk. Here in Andeer and the surrounding area, we met the chef of a local hotel who came from Belgium, his assistant from Strasbourg, and a baker from Holland — and they are not all foreigners in a tiny town in the mountains.
Martin and Maria, Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
Gulizar Ibragimovna
The Caucasus
Gulizar Ibragimovna has been working as a teacher at a school in Kurakh village in Dagestan for many years. She has four children. Everyone lives with their families. One of the daughters is in another village, the other is in Makhachkala. The sons once went to work in Siberia: the elder still lives in Surgut, and the younger recently returned to Dagestan.
Gulizar Ibragimovna, Kurakh, Dagestan, 2016.
Gulizar Ibragimovna has been working as a teacher at a school in Kurakh village in Dagestan for many years. She has four children. Everyone lives with their families. One of the daughters is in another village, the other is in Makhachkala. The sons once went to work in Siberia: the elder still lives in Surgut, and the younger recently returned to Dagestan.
Gulizar Ibragimovna, Kurakh, Dagestan, 2016.
Gulizar Ibragimovna
The Caucasus
LOCAL LANGUAGES
LOCAL LANGUAGES
THE ALPS
There are four official languages in Switzerland, one of them is Romansh or Rhaeto-Romance. It is spoken by about 39,000 people living in the canton of Grisons.
THE ALPS
There are four official languages in Switzerland, one of them is Romansh or Rhaeto-Romance. It is spoken by about 39,000 people living in the canton of Grisons.
Not long ago, the language was threatened with extinction, like Patois in the French part of the country, but thanks to the state program of support and popularization, this process was halted. Now the Romansh language can be seen everywhere in the canton, including menus in cafes and signs on the streets. It is used to compose songs and there is even a weekly newspaper in this language, La Quotidiana.
Not long ago, the language was threatened with extinction, like Patois in the French part of the country, but thanks to the state program of support and popularization, this process was halted. Now the Romansh language can be seen everywhere in the canton, including menus in cafes and signs on the streets. It is used to compose songs and there is even a weekly newspaper in this language, La Quotidiana.
Signs and inscriptions in the Romansh language.
Ftan, Canton of Grisons, 2021.
Signs and inscriptions in the Romansh language. Ftan, Canton of Grisons, 2021.
THE CAUCASUS
Children and teenagers of Qusar city speak Russian much better than children of other regions of Azerbaijan.
This is due both to the fact that many relatives work in Russia (often in Siberia), and to the fact that most of the city's schools are Russian. The Lezgian language is also actively used here, unlike, for example, the environment of the Qabala Lezgins, where the middle generation communicates with each other in Azerbaijani.
THE CAUCASUS
Children and teenagers of Qusar city speak Russian much better than children of other regions of Azerbaijan.
This is due both to the fact that many relatives work in Russia (often in Siberia), and to the fact that most of the city's schools are Russian. The Lezgian language is also actively used here, unlike, for example, the environment of the Qabala Lezgins, where the middle generation communicates with each other in Azerbaijani.
Qusar, Azerbaijan, 2016.
Qusar, Azerbaijan, 2016.
THE ALPS
German, which is used in Switzerland, has its own characteristic features. First, there are two of them: literary Swiss German, which can be heard on television, and Swiss dialect, a colloquial variant not used in writing.
At the same time, the Swiss dialect is in fact a set of dialects spoken in the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland and in the Italian Alps. Sometimes they differ significantly from each other phonetically, lexically and morphologically. But the Swiss are used to it and have no difficulty in communicating.
THE ALPS
German, which is used in Switzerland, has its own characteristic features. First, there are two of them: literary Swiss German, which can be heard on television, and Swiss dialect, a colloquial variant not used in writing.
At the same time, the Swiss dialect is in fact a set of dialects spoken in the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland and in the Italian Alps. Sometimes they differ significantly from each other phonetically, lexically and morphologically. But the Swiss are used to it and have no difficulty in communicating.
A list of products on a farm in the village of Juf, in the German-speaking part of the canton of Grisons. You can come for fresh milk after morning and evening milking — at 6:45 and at 17:45.
Juf, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
Juf, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
A list of products on a farm in the village of Juf, in the German-speaking part of the canton of Grisons. You can come for fresh milk after morning and evening milking — at 6:45 and at 17:45.
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Anthropogeos. 2021
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