05 November 2025

Kalkan: A Symbol of Unity and Global Protection at the Third International Crimea Global Conference 

On 17–18 November 2025, Kyiv will host the Third International Conference “Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South” — a platform that unites Ukraine with countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other regions around the ideas of justice, cooperation, and solidarity.

This year’s symbol of the conference is the Kalkan “Dünya” (World) — a traditional Crimean Tatar shield that embodies protection, dignity, and resilience. Yet for Ukraine, it represents more than just a defensive emblem. At the Third Conference, the Kalkan symbolizes global protection against injustice, the legacy of colonialism, and disregard for human rights.

Its name — “Dünya” (Universe) — calls upon us to see in this artwork a model of the world, where the center is justice, and around it — nations united by a shared purpose. This image resonates deeply with many countries of the Global South — those who have fought or continue to fight for their right to be heard and for equality in a world still marked by the shadows of colonialism.

For the peoples of Africa, the Kalkan may evoke the shields of warriors who defended their lands and dignity — not only with weapons, but with faith in truth. For Latin America, it embodies resistance to systems of oppression and the enduring spirit of the people, capable of stopping injustice. For Asia, it stands for harmony, balance, and moral protection, since in many Eastern cultures the circle is seen as a symbol of the universe, where peace and order rely on human wisdom.

For Ukraine, the Kalkan is a metaphor of its global role — to serve as a shield for international law, for freedom, and for those who believe in the power of justice.

Created by Crimean Tatar artist Rustem Skybin, the Kalkan “Dünya” reminds us: Ukraine’s struggle is not only for its own borders, but also for the shared values of the world. Its intricate pattern continues the tradition of the ornament, where each symbol is like the voice of ancestors who protected their home and faith.

The International Conference Crimea Global is a space where nations come together around the belief that the defense of human dignity is a common cause of all humankind. This year, the Kalkan stands as its emblem — a reminder that justice becomes possible only when nations unite in the pursuit of truth and human dignity.