Indigenous Peoples Day: Honoring Crimean Tatars in Odessa
August 9 marks the International Day of Indigenous Peoples. In Ukraine, the indigenous peoples recognized include the Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Krymchaks, who possess a unique culture and language but lack an independent state.
On this occasion, Refat Chubarov, the head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, visited Odessa, home to a significant Crimean Tatar diaspora.
During the meeting, participants discussed critical issues regarding the protection of indigenous rights, particularly those of the Crimean Tatars, who have faced severe challenges in occupied Crimea since 2014.
Gennadiy Trukhanov emphasized Odessa’s support for initiatives aimed at preserving the identity and rights of all nationalities living in the city, including the Crimean Tatars.
Special attention was given to the initiative by Crimean Tatars in Odessa to beautify a green area named after Noman Çelebicihan, a prominent figure in Crimean Tatar history.
“Odessa has always been a city where different cultures not only coexist but enrich each other. The well-kept park named after Noman Çelebicihan will symbolize respect for the Crimean Tatar people, their history, and their struggle for freedom,” Gennadiy Trukhanov emphasized.
