A blue banner with a golden tamga, which during Soviet times was considered material evidence of "bourgeois nationalism," now hangs next to the flags of the EU, the Armed Forces, and the National Guard on flagpoles near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The flag-raising ceremony took place on June 26 — Crimean Tatar Flag Day.
108 Years and Three Bans
The modern Crimean Tatar flag was first approved by the First Kurultai in December 1917 in Bakhchysarai. Crimea's Mufti Noman Celebi Dzhihan called it a symbol of the birth of his people's political life. A year later, the Bolsheviks dispersed the Kurultai, arresting and shooting hundreds of Crimean Tatars.
In 1929, Soviet authorities declared the flag "bourgeois-nationalist" and banned its use. After the 1944 deportation, even possessing the symbols was considered a crime against the Soviet system. The Second Kurultai restored its status as a national symbol, with its first session held in Simferopol on June 26-30, 1991 — 74 years after the first approval.
"Two Flags — One Country"
The ceremony was attended by the permanent representative of the president in the AR of Crimea Olga Kuryshko, deputy foreign ministers Maryana Betsa, Yevhen Perebyynis, and Anton Demehin, as well as the head of the Mejlis Refat Chubarov.
"Today the Crimean Tatar flag is a sign of Crimea's indivisibility from Ukraine"
Refat Chubarov, head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people
The Foreign Minister noted that the future of Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people are inseparable, and despite deportation, repression, and ongoing occupation, the will of the Crimean Tatar people could not be broken.
Besides the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, flags were raised at the Kyiv City State Administration, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and Taurida National University named after Vernadsky.
What This Flag Means in Crimea Now
Following the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the occupying authorities returned to Soviet pressure tactics. The Crimean Tatar flag often serves as a trigger for the occupying authorities — detentions and fines related to it have become commonplace.
- At Kyiv City State Administration — the flag was raised with the participation of the head of the Mejlis and deputy head of the KCSA Oleg Kuyavsky.
- At universities — Taras Shevchenko National University and Taurida University joined the event with separate ceremonies.
- At Mykhailivska Square — a public celebration took place with public participation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on partners in the International Crimea Platform to increase support for the liberation of all occupied territories.
A symbolic gesture has been recorded — the flag is hanging. But the question is not about it: will the Mejlis receive official advisory status in the negotiation process on Crimea — if and when such a process begins?
