In central Lviv, on Rynok Square, the Crimean Tatar flag was ceremonially raised on 26 June to mark Crimean Tatar Flag Day. The ceremony took place in front of the City Hall building as a sign of support for the Crimean Tatar people and a reminder that Crimea was and remains part of Ukraine.
Participants unfurled a large blue banner with a yellow tamga, held by residents and visitors to the city together with representatives of the Crimean Tatar community. Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar flags fluttered nearby.
First, in front of the City Council, a large Crimean Tatar flag was unfurled, after which those present observed a minute of silence for all those who have been killed as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The participants then sang the State Anthem of Ukraine.
During the ceremony, to the sound of the Crimean Tatar anthem, the Crimean Tatar flag was raised on the flagpole in front of City Hall. This was followed by a joint prayer for the fallen defenders of Ukraine, the victims of Russian aggression, and for the Crimean Tatar political prisoners who are being unlawfully held by the occupying authorities in Crimea.
“Today here, in the centre of Lviv, as we unfurl the flag, we remember everyone who fought for it and gave their life, everyone who is now fighting and carrying it with pride. After all, Crimea was, is and always will be Ukrainian. That is why each of us has one great dream — Victory. Thank you to everyone who has come here and is holding this flag with dignity,” said Andriy Moskalenko.
Representatives of the Crimean Tatar community stressed that in Lviv they feel supported and have the opportunity to develop their culture, language and traditions. They emphasised that such events not only reaffirm Crimea’s status as part of Ukraine, but also demonstrate the unity of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar peoples in resisting the Russian invader.
Imam Islyam Tokhlu, head of the Lviv Cultural Centre of Crimean Tatars, noted that the Crimean Tatar flag is a symbol of history, dignity, struggle and faith in the future, and that its raising by Lviv City Hall embodies the unity of Ukraine from Lviv to Simferopol.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Crimean Tatar community living in Lviv, residents and guests of the city, as well as representatives of the authorities at various levels.
The Crimean Tatar flag is a blue field with a golden tamga coat of arms. In 1991, after Ukraine declared independence, this banner was approved by the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people as the national flag.