The Crimean Tatar people genocide: S ü RG ü NLIK should become part of Ukrainian memory culture

On the eve of May 18, the information space of Ukraine is filled with the topic of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people in 1944. Postings, activity, artistic projects appear – different in depth and quality, but united by a common focus on the tragedy. I would like to point out: the Crimean Tatars call these events not simply “deportation”, but Sürgünlik (read as “surgunlik”), so I think that this term we have to use all this term. It is important that Sürgünlik is part of a memory culture, but we still try not to drive ourselves into the victimization.

It is also important in the process of creating a modern political Ukrainian nation that this day is both formally and meaningful part of the Ukrainian memory culture – with joint honoring, rethinking of common history, creation of cultural and educational projects, as well as with the lack of need to warn over entertainment.

We do not have time to regenerate from our historical herbs when new injuries are being inflicted, but we need to learn how to clearly present our present and future. Allow a few reasons for important strategic vectors, in which the Crimean Tatars are moving in one way or another:

Advertising:

Resistance. All 11 years it has existed on the peninsula, and we have to support and continue it – in various forms and manifestations. Because it is a new attempt to colonize from Russia. This is about underground movements, human rights associations, and media, cultural, educational, business, and spiritual initiatives.

On the mainland of Ukraine, in addition to these dimensions, resistance is also manifested in volunteering and direct participation in hostilities (Crimean Tatars have created two battalions in the ranks of the Ukrainian army, as well as dispersedly served in different units – often not in public, because they almost always have their relatives and relatives). In 11 years, we have an insignificant percentage of collaborators, which is marginalized – and this is due to the importance of public opinion (values ​​are more important than changing interests).

Advocacy. Decisions on Crimea are impossible without the vote of the Crimean Tatars. It is a great internal work in Ukraine – regarding a better understanding of us, Crimean Tatars; This is the participation of Crimean Tatars in political processes and the legislative consolidation of norms that regulate the status of the indigenous people and their representative bodies. But this is also the responsibility for what is said and made on behalf of the people. Because the word spoken here echoes there in the Crimea. And there they see very well who speaks on behalf of the people – and what he says. And nonsense is also well seen.

International dimension is archival. And here the voice of the Crimean Tatars is the main destroyer of the Russian myth of Crimea as “exposed Russian land.” And yet, with both European and Turkic and Islamic firmware, we can effectively bring messages to different societies that can be geographically far from us. We just started opening ourselves to the wider world.

Vision. How do we see ourselves as a people in 5 years? And after 50? You still need to work carefully and afford to dream. But what is already illuminated: Crimean Tatars combine the desire for national autonomy within the Ukrainian state. It is not only about the realization of the collective political rights of the indigenous people – it is, banal, about preserving themselves as a people (identity and subjective). Therefore, it is important today to build capable institutions that we will return to the peninsula. And explain how we see this realization after de -occupation.

Dialogue. At a time when the Crimean Tatars on and beyond are living more and more in parallel realities, we have to establish an internal “Crimean Tatar-Crimean Tatar dialogue”. Tomorrow not be strangers – because we lose everyone. I will not go into detail here – I think the Crimean Tatars will understand. And also get out of the shell and speak the world in the modern language.

Although now storms to nausea and let the sky be delayed, and our sun will turn over our sea. But only together.

Alim Aliyev

Source

A column is a material that reflects the author’s point of view. The text of the column does not claim the objectivity and comprehensive coverage of the topic that rises in it. The editorial board of “Ukrainian Truth” is not responsible for the accuracy and interpretation of the information provided and plays only the role of the carrier. The point of view of the UP editorial board may not coincide with the point of view of the author of the column.