January 12, 2008, marks a significant milestone for preserving and promoting the Crimean Tatar language. On this day, the Crimean Tatar Wikipedia section (Qırımtatarca Vikipediya) was officially launched, becoming an essential tool for safeguarding the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatar people in the digital space.

Work on establishing the Crimean Tatar Wikipedia began in 2006 when a test section in the Crimean Tatar language was launched as part of the Wikimedia Incubator. After two years of preparation, the section achieved official status on January 12, 2008, and became accessible to users.

The initial articles in the Crimean Tatar Wikipedia were written using the Latin alphabet approved at the Second Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar People. By the day after its launch, the encyclopedia already contained over 500 articles, a remarkable achievement for the newly created project.

Since its inception, the Crimean Tatar Wikipedia has undergone significant development. As of today, it includes over 28,000 articles. Its growth can be traced through the following milestones:

• January 12, 2008 – Launched.
• October 20, 2009 – 1,000 articles.
• December 4, 2016 – 5,000 articles.
• June 2, 2021 – 10,000 articles.
• January 21, 2022 – 15,000 articles.
• August 27, 2022 – 20,000 articles.
• May 14, 2023 – 25,000 articles.
• January 12, 2025 – Over 28,000 articles.

The start of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the full-scale invasion became critical drivers for developing and expanding the Crimean Tatar Wikipedia. For instance, in just six months of 2022, 5,000 new articles were added.

The Crimean Tatar Wikipedia has become a crucial resource for preserving and developing the Crimean Tatar language, one of the languages of Ukraine’s Indigenous peoples. This project provides a platform for collecting and disseminating materials about the Crimean Tatars’ history, culture, traditions, and contemporary life. It also serves as a venue for drawing attention to issues affecting the Crimean Tatar community.

The Crimean Tatar Wikipedia has taken on special significance during the temporary occupation of Crimea. It has become a platform for language development, strengthening national identity, and maintaining connections between generations.

This project is a vivid example of how modern technologies can preserve cultural heritage and support Indigenous peoples’ languages in a globalized world.

Today, on the 17th anniversary of its foundation, a two-week marathon begins to enrich the online encyclopedia with essential articles it currently lacks. Join the effort via the link:  http://crh.wikimedia.org.ua!