On 26 June, the Embassy of Ukraine in India, together with the Ukrainian community, marked the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag.

The programme included the raising of the national flag of the Crimean Tatar people and the performance of the Crimean Tatar national anthem, Ant Etkenmen.

The sky-blue Crimean Tatar flag, often referred to as Kök Bayraq, carries deep meaning. Its colour symbolizes the sky, freedom and dignity, while the golden tarak-tamga is the historic emblem of the Crimean Tatar people, rooted in the statehood tradition of the Crimean Khanate. Today, this flag remains a powerful symbol of identity, resilience and the unbreakable spirit of the Crimean Tatar people.

We were especially honoured to hear a video address by Refat-aga Chubarov, Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People. His message to the Ukrainian community in India once again reminded us that Crimea is Ukraine, and that a safe and dignified future for the Crimean Tatar people is possible only in a free Ukrainian Crimea. We are sincerely grateful to Refat Chubarov for his words, support and tireless voice in defence of Crimea, Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people.

We also joined the “Letters to Free Crimea” initiative, through which people in Ukraine and abroad send words of support to Crimean political prisoners held by Russia. Our letters, together with the drawings created during the art session, will be delivered as a message of solidarity, hope and support from Ukrainians in India.

The art session brought together Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar symbols, including Petrykivka decorative painting and Ornek, the Crimean Tatar ornament and knowledge about it, both inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event also included a quiz on Crimea, the Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian history. Based on the results, three participants received prizes, including books on the history of Ukraine and symbolic Ukrainian pins. We thank everyone who joined the quiz for their knowledge, interest and patriotic spirit.

The history of the Crimean Tatar people has been marked by great tragedy, including the 1944 deportation, as well as persecution and occupation. Yet through all these trials, they have preserved their identity, dignity and unbreakable bond with Crimea, their homeland, and with Ukraine, where their freedom and future belong.

We sincerely thank everyone who joined us and stood together with Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people.

Crimea is Ukraine! Qırım — bu Ukrainadır!