On May 5–6, the National University of Ostroh Academy hosted the Crimea Days, an initiative organized by the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the “Crimea Daily” platform, Ostroh Academy, and the Foundation for Regional Initiatives. The event aimed to unite voices of resistance, art, and remembrance, focusing on a deeper understanding of Crimea as a complex cultural, historical, and educational phenomenon vital to shaping modern Ukrainian identity.
The program commenced on May 5 with a screening of the documentary film “Crimea. As It Was,” highlighting the stories of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel who resisted the occupation of the peninsula in 2014. The screening featured participation from Yevhen Bondarenko, Head of the Information Support Department of the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, along with Professors Oleksandra Visych and Svitlana Kocherha from the Department of Ukrainian Language and Literature.
“We are honored to welcome our guests who will speak about Crimea in various formats. I sincerely invite you to attend all the events, as each offers something unique: there is an artistic touch, an official space for reflection and discussion, and opportunities to immerse yourself emotionally and deeply — to ask yourself: what is Crimea, why does it matter to us, and what can we do for Crimea,”
said Oleksandra Visych.
“War is always an existential choice. The system begins by taking away our language. It may seem insignificant, but then we lose our dignity, our pride, and eventually our country. In the film, you will see people who may have lost their language, but not their dignity. They found their strength and showed resilience.
This film requires glasses without a rosy tint. I am convinced that after watching it, we will see the world differently,”noted Svitlana Kocherha.
“Crimea. As It Was” is a complex yet essential film — the only documentary that captures the beginning of the occupation from the perspective of Ukrainian servicemen.
We often find ourselves in a paradigm where we cannot interact with the territory. You did not live through that time with full awareness of what was happening. We live within narratives — certain constructs of reality that we create for ourselves. Documentary filmmaking allows us to expand those narratives, learn more, and ask practical questions. What makes this film unique is that it documents many of the servicemen involved — including those who are no longer with us. After the full-scale invasion, many of them rejoined the security and defense forces and gave their lives so that we could be here with you today. We open the Crimea Days in Ostroh with this documentary to make it a challenge for reflection, and an invitation to learn more about the 11 years of the Russian-Ukrainian war — to understand how it began with the occupation of Crimea and what role Crimea plays in this confrontation,”said Yevhen Bondarenko.
In the evening, attendees experienced a musical performance by Crimean Tatar singer and artist Aziza Eskender at the university's art gallery. Her music, blending traditional Crimean Tatar melodies with contemporary themes, served as an artistic exploration of deportation, cultural continuity, and the preservation of memory.
“Thank you for the incredible atmosphere of respect and understanding. It means so much. I’m truly happy to have met you today. I will remember this day forever,”
emphasized Aziza Eskender.
On May 6, a workshop titled “Crimea and Youth: Visions of Resilience, Values, and Cohesion” was conducted, moderated by Yevhen Bondarenko. The session focused on developing effective communication strategies about Crimea and fostering connections with the peninsula among youth, despite the challenges of direct interaction due to occupation.
Additionally, the new building of Ostroh Academy hosted the opening of the exhibition “QIRIM İÇÜN / For the Sake of Crimea.” This project delved into the history of the Crimean Tatar people's deportation, resistance, and experiences of exile, creating a visual space of memory and presence where cultural preservation becomes an act of resilience.
“Today, we are opening not just an exhibition, but a space of memory and voice — one that breaks through years of silence. It is an environment where art speaks to history, and in that dialogue, we hear not only the voice of the Crimean Tatar people but also the heartbeat of our shared Ukrainian destiny. But this exhibition is not only about the past. It speaks to the present — to what connects the tragedies of previous generations with the struggles of today. Deportation is not merely a chronological event; it is a wound that has not healed. And as long as Crimea remains occupied, we have no right to remain silent. As an academic community, we bear the responsibility of preserving the truth. Our mission is not only to transmit knowledge but to shape worldviews. That is why this exhibition is an organic part of our educational mission,”
said Eduard Balashov, Rector of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor.
Students also had the opportunity to engage with Olga Kuryshko, the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. She discussed the Representation's main activities, emphasizing the importance of their work in documenting crimes of the occupation administration, protecting the rights of Ukraine's indigenous peoples, and developing legislative initiatives.
“I would like to thank Ostroh Academy, especially Rector Eduard Mykhailovych Balashov and the entire team who supported the initiative to host the Crimea Days at the university.
In today’s context, it is extremely important to amplify the presence of Crimea and its residents in the public space, as the lives of people living under occupation and the crimes committed by the aggressor state must be made visible. The expansion of the mandate of the Representation Office has become a significant step in documenting the crimes of the occupation administration, protecting the rights of Ukraine’s indigenous peoples, and developing legislative initiatives. Special attention is paid to the systemic repressions against the Crimean Tatars — one of Ukraine’s indigenous peoples, the majority of political prisoners among whom are their representatives. Crimea remains at the heart of our shared struggle and does not disappear from the international agenda,”stated Olga Kuryshkо.
The Crimea Days at Ostroh Academy provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, artistic expression, and educational engagement, reinforcing the integral role of Crimea in Ukraine's national identity and the ongoing efforts toward its reintegration.
