Tozhsamist

Qırımlı or Crimean Tatars traditionally were the eastern neighbors of Ukrainians and influenced Ukrainian ethnicity and culture, primarily the ethnic Ukrainians of Northern Ukraine. They were a compact ethnic community settled on the Crimean Peninsula and Northern Ukraine until the middle of the 19th century. Until the end of the 18th century.
Tatars made up the population of the region, in particular, Crimea — 82.27%
The population of Crimean Tatars decreased due to the Crimean War of 1856 when they were forced to migrate to the Ottoman Empire.
(Ponomaryov Anatoly, Ethnicity and ethnic history of Ukraine: a course of lectures: education. study guide higher education institutions.[Ukr.] ( Kyiv; Lybid, 1996)

Tatars suffered great losses during forced deportation in 1944 organized by the Kremlin.
Only after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when the eviction of the Tatars was recognized as illegal, they gradually began to return to their historical lands.(Gulnara Bekirova, Outline of political history 1941-1991. [Ukr.] (Kyiv; Our format, 2022)

But in 2014 Russia invaded the peninsula and annexed it stimulating a new crisis and mass migration for Qırımlı people.

Slide to read about one Qırımlı family story that covers a lot. Follow our work to explore much more.

As a self-funded, independent project, we briefly paused to reflect on the political and democratic changes occurring worldwide and our role within this evolving landscape.

The primary purpose of TOZHSAMIST is to raise the potential of modern Ukrainian democracy through our work, highlighting diverse stories and advocating for a cohesive and equal society.

We remain committed to sharing the stories of Ukrainians of different backgrounds, including Palestinian, Armenian, Nigerian, Jewish, Korean, Azerbaijani, and other backgrounds.

Subscribe to our Patreon.

Discover Ukrainian identity at tozhsamist.com.

The annual Forum on Leadership at George W. Bush Presidential Center presented The Call of Freedom program.
Alice Zhuravel, the founder Tozhsamist participated in the panel discussion "Voice of Freedom" with Pashatana Duranni and Joseph Kim.

The central message during the discussion emphasized that individuals with firsthand experience in overcoming adversity not only strive to improve their own countries but also contribute to the global community.

As a voice, Alice highlighted the following key points:
- Diversity in serves as a cohesive and unifying factor within the society because Ukraine is plural historically, I just discovered it through TOZHSAMIST.
- Ukraine can be a laboratory where people explore new cross-disciplinary and innovative approaches to addressing polycrisis. The country's challenges inspire inventive responses.
- The potential of Ukraine as a field for social innovation is vast. The world needs to shift its perception of Ukraine from a conflict zone to a hub of creative and cultural economy, civil society development, public-purpose projects, and creativity.
Recognizing Ukraine's innovative capacity can lead to valuable collaborations and contributions globally.

Meet Lola and Nikol, both Ukrainians of African descent. Lola is a biologist, while Nikol works in the fashion industry. Both are dedicated to contributing positively to society.

Exploring the experiences of individuals with African roots growing up in Ukraine, we delved into questions surrounding cultural and national identity. We discussed how Ukrainian society has evolved over the years to become more inclusive and cohesive, welcoming people from various backgrounds. Our conversation with Lola and Nikol shed light on these important topics.

Stay tuned for the full interview on tozhsamist.com

In our dialogue with and .khalilova , Ukrainians of Dagestani descent, we engaged in a profound discussion on a challenging yet essential topic. Together, we explored the reasons behind Dagestan’s political inactivity, the role of its people, and their resistance amidst Russia’s colonial policies.

Dive into Diana’s and Dinara’s insights shared in the carousel, and don’t overlook the complete interview available on tozhsamist.com.

UA

Для тих, хто прославляє Місяць жіночої історії та підвищує обізнаність про розмаїття в Україні, ми підготували добірку обкладинок журналу «Україна». Перший номер журналу вийшов у Києві 1907 року, а в цьому дописі презентовані архівні обкладинки за 1966, 1968, 1969 та 1974 роки.

EN

For those who are celebrating Women's History Month and raising awareness about diversity in Ukraine, we have prepared a collection of covers from the «Україна» ("Ukraine") magazine. The inaugural issue was published in Kyiv in 1907, and we are showcasing covers from 1966, 1968, 1969, and 1974 in this archive.

During my time in New York, I felt that it was important to create a guide on Ukrainian art. Not just ‘cause appropriation of our art by the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union, with a significant part of Ukrainian culture being stolen and needs to be recognized. It’s also about showing the beauty of Ukrainian diversity, highlighting the diverse heritage of Ukrainian artists who made great contributions to the art world.

🗽There we visited the most popular museums:
Brooklyn Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and explored the Ukrainian artists who faced a complex history, often being mistaken as Russian due to colonial policy and appropriation of Ukrainian culture by the Russian Empire. This experience inspired us to create the “Ukrainian Art. New York” guide.

🖼️ The guide showcases the artworks of various descent artists who were born or raised in Ukraine. For instance, Kazymyr Malevych — a Ukrainian of Polish descent who was born in Kyiv. Arhyp Kuindzhi— a Ukrainian of Greek descent who was born in Mariupol, Volodymyr Baranoff-Rossiné, and Sonya Delaunay-Terk — Ukrainians of Jewish descent. Many more you can find in the guide and many will be added.

Read more on tozhsamist.com and if you have any specific information or if you’d like assistance with related topics, feel free to let us know!
___________

Text for the guide by Maria Noschenko ( )
Photo by Mary Sergeevna ( )

Tozhsamist ( in Ukrainian as «identity,») was created as a social initiative with several goals:

• Raising awareness.
Our primary goal is to improve the comprehension of modern Ukrainian society.

• Facilitating new discussions.
We aim to delve into topics that have often been overlooked, particularly Diversity and Belonging, fostering dialogue through diverse voices.

• Advocating for Truth.
We strive to counter disinformation in conflict zone through the amplification of diverse voices.

• Documenting.
Tozhsamist is dedicated to documenting the experiences of cultural and ethnic diversity, contributing to the promotion of Social Cohesion.

As we began this journey, we initially collected stories on our website. However, we soon realised that the most fitting medium for such valuable content is a book, given the significance of the material’s context and the historical period that we live in.

We are delighted to share that the Tozhsamist book is scheduled for publication next year! ✨

Вірляна Ткач—режисерка та засновниця театральної групи Yara Arts Group українського походження. Понад тридцять років Вірляна перекладає українські твори та робить вистави на сцені Yara Arts Group Нью-Йорку. Над перекладами Вірляна працює зі своєю подругою Вандою Фіппс, яка має афроамериканське походження. Починаючи з першої вистави, присвяченої Лесю Курбасу та його театру «Березіль» (A light from the East & in the light. Kyiv 1920/New York 1990) у 1990 році, Вірляна почала ставити на головні ролі акторів різного походження.

Зверху ви можете побачити фотографії з вистави «Водоспад/Віддзеркалення» (1995), в якій брали участь Ніна Матвієнко, Сесілія Арана, Оксана Бабій, Карен-Анджела Бішоп, Юнджин Кім, Шигеко Суга.
Ось що тоді писала про виставу преса:
«Це театралізоване дійство з музикою дозволяє нам відчути найкраще від української народної культури, представленої артистками, які не є українками. Постановка спонукає глядачів до роздумів про те, як ця давня культура поєднується з культурами актрис, які походять з різних народів, а Ніна Матвієнко надає твору культурного авторитету, який сьогодні є таким рідкісним».

Сьогодні ми вважаємо Вірляну, як найвидатнішим прикладом вираження багатої української культури через різноманітність.

📖 Інтервʼю з Вірляною Ткач українською мовою за посиланням в шапці профілю.

Dagestan and Ukraine.

The expansion of Russian culture and politics into the Caucasus region had a profound impact on the lives of the people in that region. Russian culture influenced the local culture, leading to changes in language, customs, traditions, and political practices.

We recently had a delightful tête-à-tête with Dinara and Diana, two enchanting sisters nurtured in Dnipro, Ukraine by their Dagestani parents. Their mother (the rightward in the photograph) came to Ukraine alongside her husband during the early '90s and chose to make it their home.

The narrative unfolds: What inspired them to stay? Join us in Tozhsamist for a captivating exploration of how Dinara and Diana perceive their identities and their reflections regarding the current situation in Dagestan.

In collaboration with Ukrainian artist Oles Derega this artwork was created for TOZHSAMIST'.
We believe in justice, equity and belonging which a part of Positive Culture.

And Positive Culture promotes values, behaviors, and practices aimed at creating an environment where individuals can coexist in dignity and comfort way effectively handling crises.
Today we live in a world where pragmatism moral or legal fairness are in confrontation. Even major institutions struggle to ensure legal justice and human rights, for some, can be a verbal contraction without tangible results. We don't have all the answers for solving these problems and crises, but I believe that ideas of justice hold greater significance than realpolitik.

What do you believe in?

BETTY:
Our parents are from Ethiopia. They came to the Soviet Union through a student exchange program. My mother went to Kharkiv, and my dad went to Belgorod (a city in Russia, 24 miles from Kharkiv). Thank God he didn't like it there, so he came to Kharkiv.

SIONA:
First and foremost, we are Ukrainians. We were born in Ukraine, surrounded by Ukrainians, and we speak Russian and Ukrainian. Traditions, culture – it's close to us. But at the same time, we are also Jewish and Ethiopian.

Read the full interview with Betty(.fosho) and Siona (.fosho) on our web.

Betty, Siona, and Miriam Endale are three sisters who founded the hip-hop group FO SHO ( .sisters ) in 2019. The girls describe their songs as "political" and use music to convey important social messages. They say, "When we heard that 'music should stay out of politics,' it seemed strange and wild to us. It is important for us to address social issues in our songs. Although we can also sing about love. Actually, we can sing about anything. The main thing is for it to be honest.”

We had conversation with Betty and Sonia we about complexities of their identities, the profound values, and the transformative power of their art.

Tetyana Dendord ()
about Ukrainian heritage impact and maintenance:

“In our household, Ukrainian flows effortlessly, as my children effortlessly absorb the language from our conversations with my parents. To them, I am "Mama," while my parents are lovingly referred to as "Didо" and "Babo."
Yet, when the time came for my children to enter school, fresh hurdles emerged on the horizon. Undeterred, I persevered, determined to instill in them the significance of their Ukrainian heritage. And now, the fruits of my labour bloom before me. My children wear their pride like a badge, celebrating their mother's achievements as an esteemed Ukrainian author.”

"In our household, Ukrainian flows effortlessly, as my children effortlessly absorb the language from our conversations with my parents. To them, I am "Mama," while my parents are lovingly referred to as "Didо" and "Babo."
Yet, when the time came for my children to enter school, fresh hurdles emerged on the horizon. Undeterred, I persevered, determined to instill in them the significance of their Ukrainian heritage. And now, the fruits of my labor bloom before me. My children wear their pride like a badge, celebrating their mother's achievements as an esteemed Ukrainian author.?" - Tenyana Denford

From this conversation, we are starting a series of interviews with the Ukrainian diaspora. Since our project is about national, cultural, and ethnic identification, the experiences of Ukrainians who were born abroad or immigrated there are also worth attention.

Tetyana Denford is a talented journalist and writer who was born in New York. Despite being born in New York, Tetyana proudly identifies herself as a daughter of Ukraine. Her grandfather Hieronimus, her grandmother, Yulia, and her parents all experienced the traumatic events of World War II and made the brave decision to leave their homeland behind, becoming immigrants.

Tatiana's story shows how important it is to acknowledge and respect the descendants of the diaspora, preserve their culture and bring all Ukrainians together.

Read the full interview on our website.

Let's keep the spotlight on the issue until it finds its resolution.

We want to share our worries about how the news about the catastrophe in Kherson will be in a few weeks from now.
The collapse of the Kakhovka dam is not just another news headline to be replaced by a popular trend. It represents one of the most significant industrial and ecological disasters in Europe for decades.
Let us remember the power of our collective attention. I think it truly has the capacity for problem-solving in the world.

That's why starts collaborate with talents to create a collection of illustrations that highlight how quickly information changes around us and the significance of prioritizing the resolution of global issues.
And even better, helping to solve them.

What results are we expecting after the catastrophe in Kherson? >>>

Meet Ediie, a Kirimli (Crimean Tatar) who was born in the picturesque region of Crimea after her family's return from a long period of exile, she bears witness to the historical struggles endured by her community.
May 18th, this date carries immense importance as it is observed as the Commemoration Day for the victims of the Crimean Tatar genocide.

Read the story of Ediie’s family here: https://www.tozhsamist.com/edie

Tozhsamist: The State Defense Committee of the USSR passed a resolution titled "About the Crimean Tatars" on May 11, 1944, listing numerous accusations against them - all without evidence. The main accusation is that the Crimean Tatars worked with the Third Reich. But I know your grandfather was fighting on the Soviet Union's side at the time. Could you please elaborate on this?
​
Еdiie: About 17,000 Crimean Tatars served in the Red Army during WWII, with many staying until the war's end.
Khairulla Ibadullaev, my paternal grandfather, was one of them. He was born in 1917. In the fall of 1939, he was drafted into the Red Army. His younger brother Rustem was mobilized also. In August 1941, Rustem was seen lagging behind a column of wounded Soviet prisoners of the 51st Army. His further fate is unknown.
Khairulla was the deputy commander of the 110th Howitzer Artillery, at that time the heaviest artillery. He discovered in the autumn of 1944 that in May, the entire Crimean Tatar population had been forcefully deported. They were crammed into sealed cattle cars and sent off to Central Asia (mostly Uzbekistan), Siberia, and the Ural Mountains. Following that, distant relatives wrote him a letter in which they stated that his entire family had died from malaria in the first two months. After finishing the war in Austria, grandpa Khairullah was demobilized in 1946, and he immediately left to find his family, but no one was found. While he was fighting in Red Army, his family was exiled as "N**i collaborators" and died in a foreign land.

Read the story of Ediie’s family here: https://www.tozhsamist.com/edie

Nearly 80 years ago, the Kirimli (Crimean Tatars) endured a horrifying ordeal. The Soviet authorities forcefully uprooted over 200,000 Kirimli from their Crimean homes, resulting in countless lives lost. Despite the darkness, they eventually found their way back after the Soviet Union's collapse.

However, their troubles persisted. In 2014, Russia seized control of Crimea, subjecting the Kirimli (Crimean Tatars) to renewed oppression.

Tozhsamist: Upon returning to your homeland, what is the first thing that takes priority for you?

​

Kristina: I can't wait to make Ukraine my permanent home once again! There's so much to see and explore in this beautiful country, and I'm eager to share all the cultural richness with travellers from all over. My ultimate mission is to inspire wanderlust in others and encourage tourism in Ukraine because there's truly something magical about this place that everyone should experience firsthand!

Follow the link to read the full: https://www.tozhsamist.com/interview-kristina

Meet Kristina Kordero Peres!

With her unique blend of Ukrainian and Cuban heritage, she was born in the enchanting Donetsk region. For Kristina, the journey towards self-discovery and empowerment begins with understanding one's cultural identity.
Despite her love for travelling, Kristina's heart lies in Ukraine, where she wishes to spend her entire life with her loved ones.

Read: https://www.tozhsamist.com/interview-kristina

Читайте українською:

Дженніфер Аданна Аноруе — українська художниця, вчителька малювання та модель. Їй 24 роки й наразі вона вивчає мистецтвознавство в НАОМА.
Дженніфер вірить, що через мистецтво варто загострювати увагу й розв'язувати проблеми сьогодення.

📷

Другий герой проекту— Толу. Той, хто повністю руйнує загальноприйняті уявлення та конструює нові.
Батьки Толу приїхали із Нігерії, а він народився та виріс в Харкові. Як формувалося самоусвідомлення Толу вже можна прочитати на нашому сайті українською мовою: https://www.tozhsamist.com/uk/tolu

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This is the project's second hero, Tolu, who enjoys destroying conventional concepts and constructing new ones. His parents are Nigerian, but Tolu was born and reared in Kharkiv. On our website, you can read about Tolu's self-awareness process.
https://www.tozhsamist.com/tolu

Photo by Akilina Fitel

В жовтні проєкт Тожсамість розпочав свою історію і першим героєм став Aлан, який у 29 років є докторантом Київського національного університету імені Тараса Шевченка, а також пресофіцером Сухопутних військ Збройних Сил України. Коли ми спілкувались, Алан перебував в нещодавно звільненій Балаклії, тож наша розмова видалась лаконічною, але теплою та щирою.

Інтерв’ю з Аланом українською та англійською мовами вже доступні на сайті: www.tozhsamist.com/uk/alan

Нарешті!
Ми починаємо комунікацію і на Фейсбуці. Українською.

• Що таке Тожсамість?
Це соціальна ініціатива, яка зображає різноманіття та рівність в Україні.
Ми щиро говоримо про національну ідентичність, про єдність між людьми та цінності, які їх об'єднують.

• Які цінності проєкту Тожсамість?
Права людини, правда та щирість, різноманіття та рівність, альтруїзм та активізм.

• В чому мета Тожсамість?
Розвиток позитивної культури в сучасній Україні.
Суспільні дискусії є невіддільними частинами соціального розвитку.
Усі питання, які ми порушуємо, у селекції призводять до формування та (або) закріплення цінностей.

• Що взагалі означає слово "тожсамість"?!
Слово запозичене з польської мови, в залежності від контексту може означати "ідентичність" або "однаковість". Ідеальне слово!

Today, I wish for two things: victory for Ukraine and a modern country in which a positive culture may flourish.
I attracted a fantastic audience throughout the 2.5 months of practical work, some of whom became friends. I truly appreciate your support!

Merry Christmas to you all! 💙

Alice

Our third Tozhsamist person is Jennifer Adanna Anorue (), a Ukrainian artist, drawing teacher and model.
She is 24 years old and is currently studying Art History and Theory.
Jennifer believes that art can be used to raise awareness and help resolve major concerns in our world.

Read the interview with Jennifer on tozhsamist.com (link in the bio)

Photo:

Ukraine is freedom.

The second Tozhsamist person is Tolu Omis, a proud Ukrainian-Nigerian who completely destroys conventional wisdom and he loves it!

"Cross-ethnic colonization is much easier to identify when the ethnic group of the colonial country visually different from the ethnic group of the metropolitan country. At the time, Russia's colonial doctrine was that Ukrainians and Russians are ”one ethnic group”, “one people”, and “one nation”, restricting the possibility of independent people, independent culture, and independent own history. In a case when separation is difficult, a national idea is essential."

"I can, after all, mix the roles of a dancer, a father, a husband, and a son. I am multiple players instantly. But the question of national identity is a more complicated one..."

- Tolu for TOZHSAMIST

Read the full article following the link below:
https://www.tozhsamist.com/en/tolu