On 17 April 1938, the Soviet totalitarian regime executed prominent representatives of the Crimean Tatar intelligentsia. This crime became part of the Great Terror — a campaign of mass repressions aimed at destroying national elites, cultural figures, and anyone who retained independent thought.

Among the victims were representatives of the intellectual community who worked in education, culture, science, and public administration.

One of the victims of the terror was Umer Ipchi — a writer, playwright, and one of the creators of modern Crimean Tatar literature in the first half of the 20th century. He wrote prose and theatrical works dedicated to social changes, human dignity, and the life of the Crimean Tatar people. His work contributed to the development of the national theatre, and his writings became an important part of the cultural life of Crimea.

Umer Ipchi belonged to a generation of intellectuals who sought to combine tradition with modern cultural development. For this, he received 12 years of imprisonment in labour camps from the Soviet authorities.

Another representative of the intelligentsia, Osman Akchokrakly, was arrested in the spring of 1937 in Crimea. He was subsequently executed. Osman was a prominent scholar, ethnographer, historian, archaeologist, and educator. He researched the history of Crimea, the Crimean Tatar language, oral folklore, epigraphy, and material culture monuments.

Akchokrakly was one of the first to systematically document Crimean Tatar heritage, collect folklore materials, and work on preserving the historical memory of the people. His academic activities were of great importance for the development of Crimean studies and national humanities thought.

These are just a few stories; in reality, there were many more. The Soviet authorities deliberately destroyed those who shaped public opinion, developed national culture, and preserved historical memory. For the Crimean Tatar people, this meant the loss of a generation of leaders, educators, artists, and scholars.

These repressions became a precursor to further crimes by the Soviet regime against the Crimean Tatars. Just a few years later, in 1944, the entire people was deported from Crimea.

Today, we honour the memory of those whom the regime attempted to deprive of their name, voice, and place in history. Their legacy has survived despite the terror and remains an integral part of the history of Crimea and Ukraine.