International Committee for Crimea
ICC. P.O. Box 15078, Washington, DC 20003

News of Interest

Crimean Tatar Exhibit at the US Embassy in Kyiv

The new Ukrainian Art Gallery at the US Embassy in Kyiv (Ukraine) features an exhibition of tapestries, kilims and weavings by Crimean Tatar artists Mamut Churlu, Yuliya Tulupova and Sabriye Eyupova. At the opening of the exhibition on March 6, Ambassador John Tefft noted that "Crimean Tatars are an integral part of the Crimea's history and culture, and the culture of Ukraine. They are making commendable efforts to preserve and develop their cultural heritage, and their work should be brought to the attention of more people within Ukraine and abroad." During the reception, Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Jemilev presented a tradition fur hat (Kalpak) to Ambassador Tefft, and Jamala, well-known Crimean Tatar singer, presented some of her popular songs, accompanied by the Jezair Folk Ensemble. The text of Ambassador Tefft's speech and additional pictures are available at the Embassy's Web site. (Photo Credit: Kyiv Post)

Mamut Churlu at exhibition opening

International Mother Language Day

On February 21st, the Gasprinskiy Library in Simferopol, Crimea, organized a special event to observe the International Mother Language Day. Over fifty people representing a number of NGOs, educational institutions and the media gathered in the Library to discuss the various projects underway to preserve and revive the Crimean Tatar language, considered "severely threatened" by UNESCO. It is estimated that only 5% of Crimean Tatar children speak their mother tongue, and the state of the native language is one of the most serious problems facing the Crimean Tatar repatriates. A special book exhibition "Language-the Greatest Wealth of the People," served as the focal point of discussions. The event was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Education, the Crimean Tatar Writers' Union, and the Association of Crimean Tatar Educators. Established by UNESCO in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, the International Mother Language Day has been observed annually ever since February 2000.

Apparent Divisions within the Crimean Tatar Community

Burning the effigy of Mustafa Jemilev or issuing statements about impeaching the leaders of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis may be indicative of divisions in the Tatar population in Crimea. However, the Tatar leadership sees these developments as part of the Russian secret services (FSB) activities to split the Crimean Tatar National Movement and remove the pro-Ukrainian elements in Crimea. The recently founded NGO's such as Sebat and New Generation joined forces with Milli Firka to form the so-called Consolidated Front of the Crimean Tatars, which was behind the anti-Mejlis provocations. For further information, see Mustafa Jemilev's interview published in the Day Weekly Digest.

International Conference in Crimea Honors the Gasprinskiys

A two-day conference, "Women's movement in Crimea: Past and Present" took place in Simferopol, Crimea, on October 14-15, 2011. Organized by Nenkecan Women's Club, the conference aimed to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Ismail Bey Gasprinskiy and the 125th anniversary of the birth of his daughter Sefika. Inci Bowman from Washington, DC, was among those invited to the conference.

Conference participants visit Gasprinskiy's Tomb

Other out-of-town guests came from Kyiv and Harkiv in Ukraine; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Istanbul, Turkey; and Moscow, Russia. On the first day of the Conference, participants met at the Crimean State University for Engineering and Pedagogy to present and discuss papers. The next day, they visited Bagchasaray, touring the major sights relating to Crimean Tatar history, including the tomb of Ismail Bey Gasprinskiy. The progress made toward the restoration of historical sites in the former capital of the Crimean Khanate was impressive. Photographs relating to the Conference may be viewed on Picasa Web site.

The Gulag Exhibit

The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation unveiled the Gulag Exhibit of the online Global Museum on Communism. The preview trailer of the Exhibit was shown at the National Press Club on November 30. In addition to exclusive essays by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Applebaum, eminent Soviet historian Dr. Richard Pipes, and Estonian author and journalist Imbi Paju, the Gulag Exhibit will features a detailed, interactive 3D virtual Gulag camp environment that allows viewers to walk through and experience a Gulag camp. The preview trailer now available online at Global Museum on Communism.

Crimean Tatar Poems on YouTube

April is Poetry Month, at least in the United States. In observance of the Poetry Month, we present a short list of Crimean Tatar poems, read by native speakers. The poems are mostly well known poems in Crimean Tatar literature and are readily available on YouTube. Acknowledgment is due to Reşat Sabiq, ICC member, for drawing our attention to these poems on the YouTube. Happy Poetry Month and enjoy the poems.