The work of the Connect Studio gathered more than 100 participants to discuss the prospects of Crimea as an important part of Ukrainian culture and history, to consider the current challenges associated with the temporary occupation, the resistance of the Crimean Tatar people, and to remember the events of 2014.
The event was held in a mixed format moderated by the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, External Relations and Strategic Development of the University Elena Arabadzhi. Participants from Kyiv, Dnipro, Ternopil, Odessa, Turkey, including the Chairman of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Eskender Bariiev joined the studio in Zaporizhzhya.
“We need to involve more representatives of the academic environment, scientists, postgraduates, students, researchers to this topic. Since 8 years of occupation of Crimea have already passed since the beginning of occupation of parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, unfortunately, then we did not pay enough attention to analyzing all these processes taking place in Crimea,” – Bariiev said.
“Now, given this experience, we should actively research, collect information, document and analyze all processes taking place in Crimea, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, as well as other territories,” – he added.
Bariiev emphasized that for effective resistance it is important to accumulate proposals and recommendations that will help avoid similar mistakes in other frontline territories.
“February 26 is the date of resistance, so we need to take responsibility and work out various proposals and recommendations so that other frontline territories can avoid the mistakes we saw in Crimea, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya,” – he concluded.
