Еsma Adzhiieva Elnara Abdullaieva

Еsma ADZHIIEVA and
Elnara ABDULLAIEVA

[ region ]

Crimea

Yesma Adzhieva, chair of the board at NGO “Alem” & Elnara Abdullaieva, PhD candidate in agriculture, dancer

The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 forced a wave of migration of Crimean Tatars to mainland Ukraine. Finding themselves in an unacquainted environment, they looked for ways to redefine themselves as part of the people of Ukraine.

Switzerland helps to bring people of different ethnic backgrounds closer together. It focuses on filling some knowledge gaps between Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar ethnic cultures and languages. It strengthens friendly relations between nations.

The Crimean Tatars’ culture is much more than an ancient folk culture. It is a living heritage, one that we are not afraid to adapt to modernity. Our goal is to present our people in the light of this objective reality. We need to fight the prejudice inherited from Soviet times. Most importantly, we need to preserve our cultural heritage during our current temporary exile. We want to facilitate a dialogue in order to preserve the overall aesthetics of our heritage but not only. We aim at deepening the understanding of its inner meanings and senses. They pass from one generation to another and we need to preserve them.

The Crimean Tatars’ culture is much more than an ancient folk culture. It is a living heritage.

Еsma ADZHIIEVA and
Elnara ABDULLAIEVA

Back in 2014 we had to relocate to Kyiv. We had to mobilize so that Crimean Tatar unique identity endures. Switzerland was our first partner in this long and difficult process. Its support has been crucial for inclusion our traditional Crimean Tatar ornament “Ornek” in the UNESCO Representative List of intangible cultural heritage of Humanity. In doing so, we not only protect our community’s identity but we also contribute to the development of the Ukrainian cultural sphere. Back when we initiated our projects, Crimean Tatars were perceived as foreign to the Ukrainian culture. Through our activities we actualize the presence of indigenous peoples in Ukrainian society and demonstrate to the world the cultural diversity of the pro-European Ukraine and cultural dialog within the country build on the mutual respect.

All Stories

#MadeWithSwitzerland puts the spotlight on Ukrainians who share their experiences of their vibrant and dynamic country

Roman DIAZHUK

Organic farmer, owner of the Danube Agrarian, Safiany village, Odesa Region

Odesa

01.

Bohdan DELIUK

Doctor, General practitioner, Kalynivka district, Vinnytsia Region

02.

Halyna DZHULAI

First deputy-mayor of Novoyavorivsk, Lviv Region

Lviv

03.

Lina FYNIAK

Nurse-in-chief, Center for Primary Health Care, Veselynivska village administration, Mykolaiv region

Mykolaiv

04.

Kateryna ILKIV

Farm of Two Katerynas, Tukhlia village, Lviv oblast

Lviv

05.

Yurii KOTSULIVSKYI

Head of the Maternity Department at the Vinnytsia Rayon Hospital, Vinnytsia

06.

Yurii KURYLKO

Yurii KURYLKO, Deputy director of the Health Protection Department in Poltava Region & Ivan SHUMEIKO, Chief therapist at the Central Regional Hospital in Poltava

Poltava

07.

Viktoria MARCHENKO

Viktoria Marchenko, head of the Department of education of the Krasnosilska community, Odesa Region; Diana Karpenko, teacher; Vladyslav Rodenko, student

Odesa

08.