Welcome to Lazepe.com: A New Voice for the Laz People

We are proud to announce the launch of Lazepe.com, an independent online platform dedicated to preserving, documenting, and promoting the rich cultural heritage, history, and language of the Laz people. In the Laz language, Lazepe means “the Laz people”, and this website is built by Laz, for Laz, and for everyone who cares about the survival of one of the world’s most unique and endangered cultures.

Our Mission

Lazepe.com was born out of a deep concern for the future of Laz identity. With fewer than 30,000 fluent speakers of the Laz language remaining, and with each passing year bringing the loss of elders who carry irreplaceable knowledge of Laz traditions, songs, stories, and history, the need for a comprehensive online resource has never been more urgent.

Our mission is threefold:

• Preserve: To create a permanent digital archive of Laz cultural materials, including historical documents, photographs, audio recordings, literary works and oral histories, before they are lost to time.
• Inform: To publish accurate, well-researched articles about Laz history, language, culture, and current affairs, countering misinformation and filling the gaps left by mainstream media.
• Connect: To serve as a meeting point for the global Laz community, from the villages of Lazistan to the diaspora in Istanbul, Germany and beyond.

What You Will Find Here

Lazepe.com is organized around several key content areas. Our News section will cover developments relevant to the Laz community, including cultural events, political developments affecting minority rights, and community achievements. The Articles section will feature in-depth pieces on topics ranging from Laz cuisine and traditional architecture to linguistic analysis and demographic studies.

We are particularly committed to building an Archive of historical documents, photographs, and maps related to Lazistan and the Laz people. Many of these materials exist only in private collections or obscure academic publications, and we aim to make them accessible to everyone.

Our Gallery section will showcase the breathtaking landscapes of Lazistan, the faces of its people, and the beauty of its traditional arts and crafts. The Music and Videos sections will feature traditional Laz music, including tulum and kemençe performances, horon dances, and contemporary artists who are keeping Laz musical traditions alive.

The Laz Language section will include educational materials, dictionaries, grammar guides, and resources for anyone wishing to learn or improve their Lazuri. We believe that language is the cornerstone of cultural identity, and we are committed to supporting efforts to revitalize the Laz language.

An Independent Platform

Lazepe.com is an independent, non-partisan platform. We are not affiliated with any government, political party, or commercial organization. Our editorial decisions are guided solely by our commitment to accuracy, cultural preservation, and the well-being of the Laz community. We draw inspiration from similar platforms created by other peoples seeking to preserve their heritage, such as waynakh.com for the Chechen people.

Join Us

This website belongs to the Laz community. We welcome contributions from researchers, writers, photographers, musicians, and anyone with knowledge or materials related to Laz culture and history. Whether you have a family photograph from a Laz village, a recording of your grandmother singing a traditional song, or an article you’d like to contribute, we want to hear from you.

Together, we can ensure that the voice of the Laz people is heard, their story is told, and their culture endures for generations to come.

Dido merhaba! (Welcome!)