25 years of the Crimean Tatar youth movement

25 years ago, on May 14, 1995, the First Qurultay of Crimean Tatar youth was held in Crimea, during which the first Crimean Tatar youth organization, the Crimean Tatar Youth Center, was established. A lot of work has been done over a quarter century. Faces, leaders and even generations have changed. The CTYC left a deep imprint on each of the members of the organization, which to this day actively participate in the socio-political life of the Crimean Tatar people.

“CTYC is a youth movement that forms the Crimean Tatar people’s potential. It is an organization that always gives young people the opportunity to unite around the idea to popularize the culture and customs of the Crimean Tatar people,” the CTYC Chairman (2006-2008) Mustafa Osmanov emphasized.

“Over the years of work, which is almost seven years, a lot of work has been done, the purpose of the organization was to unite young people to preserve, develop their native language and national traditions”,- recalls the Chairwoman of the Sevastopol branch of the CTYC, the Chairwoman of the "Crimean Family" public organization Anife Kurtseitova .

“CTYC is one of the brightest pages in my life. Thanks to the Center, I have a great circle of like-minded people, I had a favorite job. This is a continuation of the work of my parents – a continuation of the struggle for my loved ones, for my people, for my native home – Crimea”,- said one of the founders of the CTYC Hulnara Seytumerova.

Members of the organization believe that the main achievement of the Crimean Tatar Youth Center is the patriotic education of young people, since “there is always a problem of the relationship between the older and younger generations, and the continuity of generations is of great importance for the preservation, development and continuation of the ongoing struggle for the restoration of rights and the revival of national statehood”.

“For me, all these years of the youth movement are very important, I think that young people must go through this period, being useful for their people and developing together with our other young compatriots. It is important for us to keep the opportunity to be useful for our future, for our people”,- Anife Kurtseitova shared her thoughts.

“Today, recalling all the events of twenty-five years, activists of different generations are being restored in my memory, and there were several thousand of us. If they asked me that if I had the opportunity to live my life again, I would live through it too”,- emphasized the Chairman of the CTYC, a member of  Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, the Head of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center Eskender Bariiev.

“Many of the CTYC members still actively participate in the socio-political life of our people, some have chosen a different path, but most importantly, they all have a sense of homeland, they feel like a part of the Crimean Tatar people and, they do their best, they assist in solving our people’s problems”,- said one of the CTYC founders, Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people Zair Smedliaiev.

“I am grateful to the Almighty and fate that my life turned out just like that so I met many interesting, smart and patriotic representatives of the Crimean Tatar youth. I remember everyone, I respect and admire all of them. I am sure that the Crimean Tatar people have a great future. Happy Crimean Tatar Youth Day!”- summed up Eskender Bariiev.