Activists in Ukraine have come up with an initiative to introduce 10 September as the official Day of Crimean Tatar Language and Literature in Ukraine.
This initiative is aimed at drawing attention to the problem of preserving the Crimean Tatar language, which is a key element of the identity of the Crimean Tatar people, officially recognised as the indigenous people of Ukraine.
That’s why, the Institute for Crimean Tatar Language Development has held a number of consultations with the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, state and non-state institutions and recognised scholars. In particular, those living in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea.
The date was chosen to commemorate the First All-Crimean Orthographic Conference held on 10-12 September 1927. The conference made important decisions that influenced the development of the Crimean Tatar language: the transition to the Latin alphabet, the consolidation of the Bakhchisarai dialect as the basis of the literary language, and the development of standards for modern orthography. Although these reforms were curtailed in the 1930s due to Soviet repression, their results became the basis for modern decisions on language development.
The celebration of the Day of Crimean Tatar Language and Literature on 10 September will help popularise the language, raise the cultural awareness of Ukrainian citizens and strengthen intercultural relations between the Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian peoples. The day, which falls at the beginning of the academic year, will promote activities to popularise the Crimean Tatar language in educational institutions.
The organisers of the initiative call on scholars, teachers, public and political figures to support this proposal in order to officially approve 10 September as the Day of Crimean Tatar Language and Literature at the state level.