Kyiv celebrates Crimean Tatar flag day with solemn raising of traditional flags

Espreso journalist Kateryna Halko reports this.

Refat Chubarov, head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, noted that the Crimean Tatar flag in its current form was approved in 1917 at the first Kurultai in Bakhchysarai.

“At that time, the Russian Empire was collapsing, and all peoples believed they would realize their right to free development. The Crimean Tatars then gathered the Kurultai, declared the Crimean People’s Republic, and adopted the flag as a symbol of this republic,” Chubarov said.

Chubarov emphasized that even during long periods of bans and difficult political conditions, the Crimean Tatar flag never lost its strength.

“But we say that once the flag is raised, it must never fall,” noted the head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.

Russian occupying forces in Crimea now ban the use of the Crimean Tatar flag without their tricolor nearby, but Crimean Tatars reject these restrictions. They are confident the Crimean Tatar flag will surely fly over Ukrainian Crimea.

“The Russian occupiers refuse to allow the Crimean Tatar flag if their tricolor cloth is not alongside it. Clearly, people do not accept this. That’s why it is very difficult to use the Crimean Tatar flag in Crimea now. For us, it is a symbol of our inseparability from our land… Since 2014, the Crimean Tatar flag has become a symbol of Crimea’s indivisibility with Ukraine… Our flag must and will fly over Ukrainian Crimea. And it will happen,” Chubarov said.

A large Crimean Tatar flag, measuring 5 by 6 meters, was also unfurled at Saint Michael's Square. The Crimean Tatar national anthem was played.

“For us, this is a symbol of unity, a symbol of struggle. Especially in the current conditions that all of Ukraine is experiencing. This is about Crimea, about the Crimean Tatar people, about supporting the Crimean Tatar soldiers who are now defending Ukraine and fighting for independence and their return to Crimea,” said Olha Kuryshko, the permanent representative of the president in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

• On Crimean Tatar Flag Day, the blue flag with a golden tamga was also raised above the Lviv City Hall.