On Crimean Tatar Flag Day, the War Museum held a ceremony to set a Ukrainian record — the largest flag of this kind!
The holiday is unofficial and has been celebrated by the decision of the Crimean Tatar people’s self-government bodies since 2010. However, today, it is gaining nationwide prominence and symbolizes the joint struggle of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar peoples for a sovereign, independent, and united Ukraine.
To commemorate the holiday, the War Museum hosted an event that, according to its Director General, Yurii Savchuk, "draws attention not only to the history of the flag but also to the forms of resistance of the Crimean Tatars to russian aggression and occupation of Crimea. After all, today’s flag, which will set the Ukrainian record in the category "Size, for the first time," has a unique and impressive history."
Ismail Ramazanov, the organizer of the Crimean Tatar Flag over Crimea initiative, shared the detailed story of the campaign with the audience. In 2021, volunteers in Kramatorsk handcrafted a 9 x 16 m banner, which traveled to various cities in Ukraine, collecting well-wishes for Crimeans along the way. On June 28, 2021, with the assistance of 200 balloons, the banner was launched across the administrative border between the free territory of Ukraine and the temporarily occupied peninsula. Ismail highlighted that the russians deployed significant resources to bring down the flag, but it still managed to fly about 150 km, reaching many people in the occupied territory. Despite the invaders managing to hit some of the balloons, causing the flag to change its flight path, it eventually fell into the sea near the Arabat Spit. Observers who saw it fished it out of the water and returned it to the activists. Ismail Ramazanov described his feelings: "For me, it was like a sign from the Almighty that Crimea will also return to Ukraine, just like this flag." Presently, the banner is part of a Museum’s collection, temporarily preserved until the de-occupation of the Crimean peninsula.
Ilmi Umerov, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, emphasized in his speech that the official documentation of this record is significant because, from now on, everyone will know the fate of the flag and the history of the Crimean Tatar people’s struggle. "We are fighting, and therefore we will win," he summarized.
Oksana Muravliova, the head of the Ukrainian Speaking Club "Faino," fondly recalls the process of making their first flag: "It was a significant task; we had to stitch 64 meters to sew the tamga. Many people, including students from a lyceum in Kramatorsk, were involved in the process." Since then, Oksana and her team have created over 3,455 national and combat flags for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She has generously donated two flags and dolls-amulets to the Museum.
The event’s moderator, Bohdan Halchynsky, discussed the history of the Crimean Tatar people, their flag, and their national symbol, the Tamga.
All attendees at the event participated in measuring the banner’s size and had the chance to touch the legendary relic.
Oleh Ivanenko, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Book of Records, documented the record and awarded diplomas to event organizers. He strongly believes the day is coming when the flags of Ukraine and Crimea will fly together over the peninsula. We also share this belief and are doing everything we can to achieve a united Victory and return all our territories and citizens to a free Ukraine.
