Memet Edydzh is art patron from Adyghea

Memet Edydzh is one art patron from Adyghea, who loves the culture of his people.

In today’s world, it would be almost impossible to preserve and to promote the Adyghe folk art without participation and support of outstanding Circassian art patrons who contribute to the development of folk art completely on a voluntary and free basis, providing their feasible targeted financial assistance to cultural and educational projects. Unfortunately, their list is very limited. In addition, few people know the full range of the assistance of one art patron who provides his protection to the traditional folk art of the Adyghes. Their names often remain behind the scenes or, at best, they are mentioned in passing. And it is not because those cultural figures. whose projects have received such assistance, deliberately conceal about them or they are not grateful. Most likely, these modern art patrons are quite unpretentious people and do not boast of their capabilities, but help to promote traditions and culture of their people without any expectation of praise, just from their heart. Besides, the Circassians never boasted of their good actions. At the Circassian people sang them in their songs, thanked them with their eternal memory.

Today, in Adyghea, the institute of art patronage in culture continues to develop. And one of the names of these unpretentious, but truly loving his people, its culture and customs is the name of Memet Edydzh. The founder of the Center for studies of languages "ACTIVE", public figure, he has contributed to many cultural and educational projects in the region since the time when he returned with his family to his historical homeland. And for the last six months, he has supported with the targeted financial assistance the Khachesh-concert of the graduate of the Adyghean republican children’s school of arts with the name of Kim Tletseruk, student of Zamudin Guchev Damir Guagov which took place on the 14-th March 2019 in the great hall of the State philharmonic of the Republic of Adyghea with participation of Kazbek Nagarokov, Arthur Abid, ensemble "Tyzhyn". At the first time, the Circassian folk singing which is taught at the republican school of arts by the master researcher of the Circassian traditional art, Honored artist of the Republic of Adyghea, founder of authentic performance ensembles "Zhyu" and "Tyzhyn", author of unique editions on the Circassian culture Zamudin Guchev, came out with a meaningful concert on the main stage of the republic. Memet Edydzh also supported the people’s master at the opening of the exhibition "Ancient Circassian violin. History of the creation of “Atlas of Circassian (Adyghe) shychepshyn” which took place on the 4-th April 2019 at the National museum of the Republic of Adyghea with the support of the RA Ministry of culture.

The master on saddlery and production of folk musical instruments, Chair of the Association of masters of folk arts and crafts of the Republic of Adyghea Aydamir Patokov talked about those cultural and educational projects that Memet Edydzh helped before.

- 10 years ago, when I developed my project for production of traditional Circassian saddle, I addressed to the Ministry of culture of the republic. But because it was difficult to allocate budget funds for this in a short period, the Minister of culture at that time Gaziy Chemso appealed to Memet Edydzh and recommended my project to him. After reading it, he promptly provided me with the necessary financial support. And then my brother Asker and me, we went to study in Nalchik at the people's master Vyacheslav Mastafov. After one month of studying, we returned and, of course, we showed the result of our work to Memet. He was genuinely glad. After all this time, I can say that his assistance helped us a lot, and, in general, he contributed to develop the saddlery business in our region.

The story of the Aydamir Patokov’s project once again confirms the philanthropy in culture is necessary because, based on humanity, mutual assistance, empathy and mercy, it helps the society to develop, sometimes provides with much-needed assistance in preserving the language and culture of the people, can even save someone's life or give opportunities to beginner masters or artists. And helping them, then the good deeds of art patrons become a fertile ground or a safe springboard for restoration and development of some directions of the folk art or the art.

- Recently or rather six months ago, somehow in our conversation, Memet regretted that in Adyghea there was no one who was manufacturing the decoration of blades, sabers, daggers. Today, the master-blacksmith Arsen Khazhkhozhev actively products them there. Memet asked me why we didn’t develop this craft. Then I told him that Asker Patokov had already started to do it. And last year, the known goldsmith from Kabarda Zalim Tumov came in Adyghea and has held for several days his master class on decorating blade and scabbard. My brother actively participated at it. But at that time he had not any equipment to work. For his part, Memet Edydzh intended to help us when we would calculate the entire budget of the project. As a result, his assistance was provided. Memet is a very kind person who helps every time, - said the Chairman of the Association "Folk arts and crafts of the Republic of Adyghea".

The Circassian art patron Memet Edydzh always helped the projects directed on studying, preservation and promotion of the Circassian language, especially at the time when it has received very little attention and resources. Today, with the support of the republic's head, there has been created the project office for studying and preservation of the Adyghe language on the basis of the Adyghean republican institute of humanitarian studies and the significant funding has been provided for educational projects. But there was a time when even the journalists of TV Adyghea had to seek out a financial assistance to create their programs and television films in the Adyghean language. Some such projects were supported by Memet Edydzh.

- I heard many years ago, when already the "ACTIVE" began to work, he helped the department of television programs in Adyghe language. He provided his assistance to television projects aimed at preserving and developing the language. At one time, Memet supported Huseyn Daur, when he was the youngest of employees, he created programs and gave historical information in the Adyghe language. As far as I know, this help was in form of a prize, - shared Aydamir Patokov.

Certainly, the times are changing, and today, first of all, the state finances cultural and educational projects, seeks funds for television programs in the Adyghe language, which is the state language of the republic, provides its assistance and grants to talented figures of culture. This is confirmed by several projects of the Association of masters of folk arts and crafts of the Republic of Adyghea. However, such state funding most often is given to already known masters and artists, famous writers and journalists. And beginner cultural workers can only hope on assistance of such selfless philanthropists like Memet Edydzh. But later it turned out he made a real contribution to the right persons who would achieve later their success, developing their directions, and not only. Having become known, they began themselves to help their young colleagues, to support them, to promote their craft or art with their capabilities. As it was in the case of the master on saddlery Aydamir Patokov who became with time one of the founders of the Association "Folk arts and crafts of Adyghea" with famous regional masters Ruslan Kostokov and Safiet Set (Panesh).

And although there are also charitable foundations in Adyghea whose activities are motivated by comprehensive support to needy people, it is necessary to develop further the philanthropy in our region. Unlike the charity, it is, first of all, the support of talented people not because they need it, but because of their talent. The true patrons of art aspire with all their hearts to develop the culture of their people, the art and sciences in their region, providing all possible assistance to young talented musicians, masters, artists, choreographers, writers, filmmakers, scientists, etc., that is, to all those talented people who show promise. And they support through their projects the development of the society, their people, region and country. As Memet Edydzh, art patron from Adyghea, who loves the culture of his people, is continuing to do.