Religious and National Identity of the Meskhetian Turks in the Conditions of Changing Statehood

Meskhetian Turks are a Turkish-speaking ethnic group, which lived in Georgia until 1944. The origins of this group is matter academic dispute. Since their beginnings, they have been under the influence many cultures due to location on borders Christian and Muslim worlds. In 1944, were forced leave displaced dispersed throughout territory Soviet Union, mainly Central Asia. There currently around 350–600 thousand scattered all over world. They only did not gain permission from authorities return homeland Georgia. deportation most tragic event history collective memory has directly affected traditions, religiousness, religious national identity. aim paper analyse how these events present situation influenced reshaped identity as well traditions post-Soviet period.