13 November 2025
November 13 – Birthday of Nuzet Umerov
“I do not write fairy tales — I write Crimea for the children who have never seen it.
Every word is a tiny stone in the mosaic of the Homeland.
Gather them — and Crimea will come alive in your hearts.”
From the foreword to “The Golden Seed” (2006)
Nuzet Abibulaievych Umerov was a poet, prose writer, translator, journalist, Honored Journalist of Ukraine, and laureate of numerous literary awards and distinctions. He made a significant contribution to the development of Crimean Tatar literature and culture. For his lifelong dedication, he received many honors recognizing his efforts to preserve the Crimean Tatar heritage.
Nuzet Umerov was born on November 13, 1931, in Simferopol. In 1944, when he was only twelve years old, the Soviet regime began the forced deportation of the Crimean Tatar people. On May 18 of that year, the Umerov family, along with thousands of other Crimean Tatars, was expelled from their native land and sent to remote regions of the USSR — to Uzbekistan. This marked the beginning of a long exile that lasted for decades.
Umerov devoted much of his creative work to children’s literature, crafting stories that were profound, emotional, and accessible to young readers. His poems and tales, such as “Altın Urluq” (“The Golden Seed”) and “Ayuv Dağ” (“Bear Mountain”), transported children into a world filled with kindness, hope, and dreams. These works became moral compasses for generations of Crimean Tatars, teaching them to value their native language and culture, honor their ancestors, and live in harmony with nature.
He was among the first to shape the modern direction of Crimean Tatar children’s literature, preserving its national character while introducing universal themes that resonated with readers of all backgrounds.
Umerov’s works are not only a vital part of the Crimean Tatar literary heritage but also a meaningful contribution to world culture. Some of his most notable publications include:
“Altın Urluq” (The Golden Seed) — a collection of poems;
“Ayuv Dağ” (Bear Mountain) — a collection of tales and stories;
“Aq Altın Masalı” (The Tale of White Gold) — a story symbolizing deep respect for nature and national heritage.
In his writings, Nuzet Umerov explored profound themes, including the loss of national identity, the struggle to preserve language and culture, and the revival of the Crimean Tatar community after deportation.In 1992, he finally returned to Crimea, reclaiming his place in his people’s cultural and literary life. There, he became not only a writer but also an active public figure. As editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Yani Dünya” (“New World”), he continued his lifelong mission to revive and develop Crimean Tatar culture in independent Ukraine.