On August 9th, the International Day of Indigenous Peoples is celebrated worldwide. In Ukraine, the indigenous peoples include the Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Krymchaks — ethnic communities with unique languages and cultures, lacking a state of their own.

On this occasion, Odessa, home to a significant Crimean Tatar diaspora, was visited by Refat Chubarov, the head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly the Crimean Tatars, who have faced systemic assimilation and repression since 2014 in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Gennady Trukhanov emphasized that Odessa supports initiatives aimed at preserving the identity, historical memory, and rights of all nationalities living in our city, including the Crimean Tatars.

Special attention was given to the initiative of the Crimean Tatars of Odessa regarding the improvement of a green area named after Noman Çelebicihan — a prominent Crimean Tatar figure.

«Odessa has always been a city where different cultures not only coexist but enrich one another. The well-kept park named after Noman Çelebicihan will serve as a sign of respect for the Crimean Tatar people, their history, and their struggle for freedom», — highlighted Gennady Trukhanov.