Every year on June 26, the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag is celebrated - a day of honoring the national symbol of the Crimean Tatars, the indigenous people of Crimea. Learn more about this day and its main symbol

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Today, on June 26, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag, an unofficial holiday established by the Crimean Tatar self-government in 2010. 

This day symbolizes the unity and continuity of generations of Crimean Tatars and their struggle for freedom and self-determination. 

Crimean Tatar Flag Day: history and significance

The Crimean Tatar flag represents the desire to live in their native land, as well as the protection of the rights and freedoms of one of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

The symbol was first approved in December 1917 during the first Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar people in Bakhchisarai. In Soviet times, when the Crimean Tatar people were subjected to repression, the flag was not used.

The flag was restored on June 30, 1991, in Simferopol by the second Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar people.

Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov emphasized that the Crimean Tatar flag is a symbol of the struggle for rights and freedoms and hope for returning to their native land.

"June 26 is a special day for every Crimean Tatar and everyone who supports the struggle for freedom and justice. Today we celebrate the Day of the Flag of the Crimean Tatar people," he emphasized.

According to him, "this symbol unites all Crimean Tatars wherever they are, reminding them of their centuries-old history, culture and traditions."

"Ukraine will win the war and return the Crimean peninsula. Glory to the Crimean Tatar people. Glory to Ukraine!" the Defense Minister emphasized.

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The largest Crimean Tatar flag

In addition, on June 26, Kyiv set a new record for Ukraine - the largest Crimean Tatar flag measuring 9 by 16 meters. This was reported by a correspondent of Suspilne Krym.

The record was set at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in World War II.

"It is a great honor for me to be with you on this day. This is an important day for the whole of Ukraine, for my people. Everything we do - the whole of Ukraine, all Crimean Tatars - is for the sake of the greatest goal - the de-occupation of our entire territory, the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula itself," said Ismail Ramazanov, the organizer of the action.

He also noted that after the liberation of Crimea, this flag will be transferred to the Museum of De-occupation.

"I think the story of this flag is endless, as are the endless messages of our citizens. It has been to Lviv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Melitopol, Henichesk, Novooleksiyivka and Dnipro. Fantastic people left a part of themselves on it," Ramazanov emphasized.

As you know, the Crimean Tatar Flag over Crimea campaign began in 2021 in Kramatorsk. Volunteers made a 9-by-16-meter flag by hand, which traveled around the cities of Ukraine and collected wishes for Crimeans.

On June 28, 2021, with the help of 200 yellow and blue balloons, the flag was launched across the administrative border between the free territory of Ukraine and the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Ramazanov also said that the occupiers did everything possible to bring the flag down. They raised helicopters and engaged the personnel of the russian federal security service. However, the flag was seen even in Yalta. The russians partially shot down the balloons, and the flag returned to Ukraine, where it was found on the Arabat Spit.

The organizers said on Facebook that the wind then lifted the flag over Crimea and then returned it to the activists. This is how the slogan "The flag has returned - Crimea will return!" appeared.

Photo: Getty Images

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