The war-torn history of Crimea—my home | Emine Dzhaparova | TEDxAthens

TL;DR

A Ukrainian diplomat shares her personal experience of the trauma and loss caused by the occupation of Crimea, highlighting the importance of home and the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Transcript

foreign [Applause] hello everyone I'm so happy to be here and thank you for your applauses it really supports me my name is eminajipar I'm 40 years old I'm a Ukrainian diplomat an ethnic crime in tata and a mother of two beautiful daughters and I have a confession to make When I Was preparing for my speech I felt very puzzled what story should I te... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The occupation of Crimea is not an isolated event but part of a pattern of historical oppression endured by the Crimean Tatar population.
• 🥺 The trauma and loss caused by the occupation of Crimea has deeply affected individuals and families, leading to a fight for justice and the reclaiming of their homeland.
• 🥰 Home is more than just a physical space; it represents a sense of belonging, safety, and the ability to share joyful moments with loved ones.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were some of the historical oppressions faced by the Crimean Tatars?

The Crimean Tatars faced repressions, forced deportations, loss of property, closure of schools, and suppression of religious rights under Russian rule. They were labeled as barbarians and their culture and heritage were systematically erased.

Q: How did the speaker's family and other Crimean Tatars try to maintain their connection to Crimea?

Many Crimean Tatars settled in neighboring regions and tried to be as close to their homeland as possible. The speaker's family moved to Krasnodar, a Russian region near Crimea, and faced discrimination and forced relocations due to their Crimean Tatar nationality.

Q: How did the occupation of Crimea in 2014 impact the speaker and her family?

The speaker had to leave her homeland with her young daughter due to the repressive reality under Russian control. They faced emotional pain and loss, and witnessed the violence and torture inflicted on others who opposed the occupation.

Q: What is the Crimea platform and why was it created?

The Crimea platform is a diplomatic coordination mechanism aimed at peacefully reclaiming Crimea. It unites over 60 countries and organizations and is led by President Zelensky. The speaker's involvement in the platform led to her being sanctioned and banned from entering Crimea.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, a Ukrainian diplomat, shares her personal experience of the trauma and loss caused by the occupation of Crimea.

• She discusses the historical oppression and colonization of Crimean Tatars and the forced deportation of the entire Crimean Tatar population in 1944.

• She highlights the resilience of the Ukrainian people and their fight to reclaim their home.