On June 26, Ukraine celebrates Crimean Tatar Flag Day.
This unofficial holiday, recognized since 2010, symbolizes the unity of the Crimean Tatar people and their fight for rights and freedom, as reported by Ukrinform.
The Crimean Tatar flag is an essential part of national identity. It features a sky-blue color with a golden emblem – the tamga – in the corner. This color represents peace and purity, while the solid background signifies the unity of the people, according to the Institute of National Memory.
The Crimean Tatars are an indigenous people of Crimea and Ukraine, as their history is tied to the territory that is now part of Ukraine, lacking statehood beyond its borders.
The loss of statehood occurred in 1783 when Crimea was annexed by the Russian Empire.
The national revival of the Crimean Tatar people began after the February Revolution of 1917. In Crimea, as in mainland Ukraine, national life was revitalized with slogans of democracy and self-determination. The blue flag began to be used as a national symbol.
In December 1917, the first Kurultai of the Crimean Tatars, held in Bakhchysarai, took place under the blue flag. However, its status was not formally established in the national constitution.
In early 1919, the Crimean Tatar Parliamentary Bureau approved a document recognizing the flag and national emblem of the Crimean Tatars.
After the establishment of the communist regime in Crimea, the national flag was no longer publicly displayed at events.
The second Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar people, which took place in 1991, restored the blue flag with the tamga as the national symbol, setting its proportions at 1:2.
Today, this flag is a symbol of the struggle for the rights of the indigenous people of Crimea and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity.
The head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Refat Chubarov, announced that events for Crimean Tatar Flag Day will take place in Kyiv, across the regions, and abroad.
In Kyiv on June 26, there will be solemn ceremonies for raising the Crimean Tatar flag. At 9:00 AM it will be raised near the Kyiv City State Administration, at 10:00 AM near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and at 11:00 AM at Taras Shevchenko National University. Similar events will occur near the Tavria National University.
Regional centers will also hold flag-raising ceremonies with the participation of Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian communities. Furthermore, Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad will organize various activities for this holiday.
In the evening of June 26, concerts, children's competitions, and an arts fair will take place outdoors at the Dovzhenko Film Studio in Kyiv. Chubarov invited everyone interested to attend these events.