This year, on May 18, Ukraine and the world commemorate the 80th anniversary of the deportation. To honor the victims of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people, the Symphony of Crimea. The Return requiem evening was held. The author of the project and the performer of Mickiewicz’s sonnets is Oleksandr Rudko, a master of words of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, delivered the opening speech, noting that genocide is the highest crime that can be committed in the world today, and it is unforgivable. Mr. Stefanchuk also mentioned the problem of impunity, which is an incentive for the aggressor who caused sorrow in the past to do it again in a few decades, demonstrating the same maniacal cruelty and uncontrolled aggression. Ruslan Stefanchuk also stressed that it is necessary for us to unite the international community around this awful tragedy.

The leader of the Crimean Tatar people, Mustafa Dzhemilev, also delivered a speech that evening, stating that the impunity for the crimes of the Soviet Union has led to the repetition of these crimes by the so-called successor of the Soviet government, Russia. Mr. Dzhemilev mentioned the recent persecution and searches of Crimean Tatar homes in occupied Crimea.

The Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov also emphasized the importance of recognizing the crime of deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944 as an act of genocide and thanked all those who participated in the preparation of events for the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide.

Rostyslav Karandieiev, Temporary Acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage and actively developing culture today. Mr. Karandeyev also stressed the importance of remembering crimes against humanity in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The concert featured symphonic music by contemporary Crimean Tatar composer Elvira Emir, performed by the National Presidential Orchestra conducted by Diliaver Osmanov, as well as poetry by Polish classic Adam Mickiewicz (Crimean Sonnets, translated by Maksym Rylskyi), written by the artist under the impression of his two-month trip to Crimea. The final part of the concert was the ode O, My Holy People! performed by the orchestra and a combined choir.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People.