People of Erzya Protest at Finno-Ugric Congress
Members of the Erzyan ethnic group held a protest at the World Finno-Ugric Congress in Hungary on Thursday to draw attention to Russian policies that they say undermine their national identity.
Russian official policies do not differentiate between the Erzyans and the Mordovians living in the Republic of Mordovia, part of the Russian Federation. Both indigenous people have their own language and culture.
The congress, held once every four years, did not recognize the Erzyans, since the nationality line in their passports states either 'Republic of Mordovia' or 'Russian Federation,' a fact the half million-strong Erzyans are not happy with.
Organizers of the congress chose not intervene in what they consider to be a domestic issue and are taking a passive stand. While the Erzyan delegation was refused even observer status at the event, their members were not forced off the premesis.
The head of the Mordovian delegation, Mikhail Mosin, said splitting the Erzyas from Mordovians would negatively affect the small republic, ETV reported.
Robin Ilves
