31 August 2025

Körüşüv: An Evening of Culture, Memory, and Music That Unites

On August 28, as part of the Fourth International Forum of the Expert Network of the Crimea Platform, a special event in the Körüşüv format (Crimean Tatar — “meeting”) brought together culture, memory, and dialogue in a unique celebration of Crimean heritage. The gathering provided a dynamic space for cultural exchange, artistic reflection, and meaningful conversation, connecting Crimean Tatar traditions with contemporary Ukrainian and global contexts.

The evening featured the presentation of the “Shum: QIRIM” project, a central highlight. Attendees experienced compositions from a free digital library of Crimean Tatar melodies and instruments, recorded with legendary musicians Cemil Karikov and Dilyaver Osman. The project, led by NGO SHUM.RAVE, reinterprets traditional motifs, blending heritage with modern sounds to create an innovative and immersive musical journey.

The program also included the documentary “Deñiz Içinde / The Sea Within”, produced by SHUM.RAVE, which shared deeply personal stories from people in Crimea. The film highlights the preservation of cultural memory, the resilience of the Crimean Tatar community in exile, and the enduring strength of identity under forced displacement.

The evening concluded with a vibrant networking session, fostering new connections, ideas, and collaborations among artists, researchers, and engaged civil society members.

Körüşüv is more than an event – it is a living tradition that nurtures dialogue and creativity, sustaining culture through art and interaction.

We sincerely thank all participants, as well as our partners and organizers: NGO SHUM.RAVE, in partnership with the media initiative CrimeaDaily, the Crimean Human Rights Group, and the Crimea Platform Office.