03 February 2025
Presentation of the Center for Crimean Studies Was Held at NaUKMA
On January 31, the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) hosted the official presentation of the academic and educational center, “Crimean Studies.” The event brought together diplomats, scholars, political figures, and representatives of the Crimean Tatar community. Deputy Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Denys Chystikov, emphasized the significance of this initiative for the development of academic, cultural, and political discourse surrounding Crimea.
During the opening ceremony, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris, highlighted the importance of preserving Crimea’s cultural heritage and studying its history. He noted that the peninsula has always been a vital political and cultural crossroads where diverse ethnic communities, traditions, and languages have intertwined. Ambassador Harris also mentioned his interest in the Crimean topic, which is reflected even in his professional environment — the British Embassy in Ukraine has the Crimean Room, which reminds all visitors of the region’s significance in Ukraine’s history.
In his speech, Denys Chystikov emphasized that the Center for Crimean Studies is not only an essential academic initiative but also vital for those engaged with Crimea’s history, religion, and culture, as well as for diplomacy and political professionals.
“It is worth noting that establishing this center is not only timely but strategically important. Crimean Studies brings together scholars, public figures, and state officials who will focus their efforts on preserving the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples and developing new visions for the safe reintegration of the Crimean Peninsula. The Center will also serve as an intellectual stronghold in the information war against propaganda and hostile narratives imposed by Russia,” noted Chystikov.
Nariman Dzhelyal, First Deputy Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, stressed the importance of maintaining national unity amid the ongoing struggle for the de-occupation of Crimea:
“These doors, which were closed for years by the efforts of the Russian Empire, are slowly opening. I want them to be opened wide so that no Ukrainian ever questions whether Crimea is part of Ukraine and so that every Crimean resident has no doubt about this either. We are all part of the same team,” Dzhelyal emphasized.
The Center for Crimean Studies presentation was enriched by welcome addresses from representatives of leading global universities, including Harvard University and the University of Alberta, who expressed readiness for cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea actively supports the educational and research activities of the Center for Crimean Studies at NaUKMA. The development and preparation of the First Winter School of “Crimean Studies” were made possible through the support of the United Kingdom in Ukraine and the close partnership with the Mission of the President in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
The Center is set to become a crucial platform for intellectual discourse, research activities, and academic diplomacy, fostering a resilient international narrative about Crimea as an integral part of Ukraine. Its establishment is a step forward for Ukrainian scholarship and an essential symbol of academic decolonization and the restoration of historical justice.