For Crimean Tatars, unity is not merely a word but a survival strategy forged over decades of exile and the struggle for the right to return home. Today, amidst a new “hybrid deportation,” preserving traditions becomes an act of resistance and a way to maintain one’s identity. Leviza Dzhelialova, wife of Ukraine’s Ambassador to Turkey, shares a personal story of how family celebrations, coffee rituals, and an unbreakable connection to Crimea help her people remain themselves, wherever they may be.
Leviza Dzhelialova
Unity as a Survival Strategy
For the Crimean Tatar people, unity is not just a beautiful symbol; it’s a vital necessity that has been shaped over centuries. During the most tragic periods – the 1944 deportation, the years of exile, and the return home – it was solidarity that helped us avoid assimilation, preserving our language and culture. It’s a daily practice of standing together in both joy and hardship, despite all attempts to divide us.
Crimea – Our Sole Source of Strength
Crimea is more than just a geographical location or a historical homeland. It’s a deep, almost intangible connection that sustains us. Our grandparents, in their places of exile, described Crimea as a paradise. When we returned in the 90s, the reality was different: we weren’t welcomed; we were feared due to Soviet propaganda. Yet, despite the hostility and difficult conditions, we were immensely happy to finally be on our own land. Today, being forcibly separated from Crimea, we feel the loss of this inner anchor particularly acutely.
A Home Open to All
Hospitality in our culture is intrinsically linked to family life. We grew up in large families, with three generations living together, which taught us respect for elders. Among Crimean Tatars, it’s unthinkable not to show honor to anyone who crosses the threshold. There’s a legend that the Prophet once descended to Earth disguised as a beggar. Those who helped him selflessly were blessed. That’s why we welcome every guest with an open heart. This support became my salvation when Nariman was arrested. (Nariman Dzhelial – a Ukrainian Crimean Tatar politician arrested in occupied Crimea in 2021 – ed.). For three years, there wasn’t a single day without visitors in our home. The constant presence of people gave me the strength to continue the struggle.
The Magic of Crimean Coffee: Ritual and Psychotherapy
Coffee is the heart of our hospitality. Even in the toughest times, when coffee was expensive, people would roast chickpeas to maintain this ritual. We have coffee for every occasion:
-
Saba qavesi – morning coffee, for making plans;
-
Aqşam qavesi – evening coffee, for family gatherings;
-
Köz aydın qavesi – coffee for celebrating good news.
The very process of preparation is a kind of “quiet psychological session.” While my father slowly ground the beans in a manual mill (değirmeni), the guest had the opportunity to speak and be heard. By the time the coffee was served, the pain had been shared, and thoughts were ordered.
Holidays as a Bridge Between Generations
Our national holidays, Qurban Bayram and Oraza Bayram, are times of absolute family unity. I remember as a child walking kilometers through fields to greet our elder relatives. A special tradition is qoqu çırarmaq (“letting the smell of food out of the house”): we prepare chebureki and share them with neighbors, spreading joy. Children learn the most important lesson during these days – respect. They kiss the hands of their elders, touching them to their foreheads, and receive blessings. This isn’t just a ceremony; it’s the transmission of ancestral strength.
Remembering May 18th
Attending memorial rallies for the victims of deportation is something ingrained in our DNA from childhood. We do this so as never to forget the crime against our people. After 2014, the occupiers banned mass gatherings and removed monuments, but they cannot erase memory. Now, we gather in small groups, recite prayers (dua), and continue to remember, wherever we are.
Life in “Hybrid Deportation”
Today, we are once again scattered across the globe due to political persecution and the pressure from the occupiers. We call this hybrid deportation. Crimean Tatars have found themselves in various countries, with Turkey holding a special place in this context.
One of the largest and oldest Crimean Tatar communities has formed here. It is very diverse: there are families who have lived in Turkey for generations, and those who arrived very recently – after the occupation of Crimea and the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Despite this diversity, the community remains active and united. In Turkey, there are Crimean Tatar associations, cultural centers, youth initiatives, Sunday schools, and dance and music ensembles. For decades, even centuries, they have preserved the language, traditions, and memory of Crimea, while remaining sensitive to everything happening around Ukraine.
The Embassy of Ukraine, for its part, strives to be close to this community. We support cultural and memorial events, participate in initiatives aimed at preserving Crimean Tatar identity, work with youth, facilitate dialogue between Crimean Tatar organizations and Turkish partners, and between the Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian diasporas. For us, this is not just a matter of culture – it is a matter of solidarity, historical justice, and a shared future.
Even far from our homeland, we maintain our way of life: we fast during Ramadan with our children, drink coffee with friends via video calls, staying close despite the distance, and prepare traditional dishes – my son in Kyiv immediately asked for qurabiye cookies because they taste like home. And preparing chebureki on the eve of Qurban Bayram and Oraza Bayram is another tradition we cherish: the whole family helps with the preparation, shaping, and frying. We also constantly discuss memorial dates for our people with the children, explaining their significance so they never forget our history and pain, and can continue these traditions upon returning to our homeland.
Culture as an Instrument of De-occupation
Crimean Tatar culture should not be mere “exoticism for holidays.” It is a living, organic part of Ukrainian identity. The state must support education in the language, cultural projects, and engagement with youth currently under occupation. This is the path to strengthening Ukraine’s sovereignty. The more we showcase our culture as modern and open to the world, the stronger both Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people will become.