Ismet Suleimanov defended his thesis “Memories of the genocide and collective tragedy in the contemporary social and political landscape of Crimean Tatars.”

Another of our colleagues, Ismet Suleimanov, recently perfectly defended his thesis on the topic “Memories of the genocide and collective tragedy in the contemporary social and political landscape of Crimean Tatars.”

This thesis explores the enduring impact of the 1944 mass exile on the contemporary socio-political landscape of the Crimean Tatars. By examining the concepts of collective trauma and post-memory, the research investigates how traumatic experiences are transmitted across generations and shape modern perceptions and identities. Through 20 in-depth oral history interviews, the study uncovers the mechanisms behind the perpetuation of collective memories and their role in intergenerational political identity formation.

The findings demonstrate that despite Soviet-era silencing, the trauma of genocide was passed on through explicit and implicit practices. Physical connections to Crimea, art and personal testimonies helped to maintain a sense of identity and belonging. The collapse of the Soviet Union allowed the disclosure of suppressed histories, deepening the understanding of younger generations. The mass return to Crimea in the 1990s and the subsequent creation of institutionalised realms of memory, such as memorial days, strengthened collective memory and solidarity.

The 2014 Russian occupation of Crimea revived the collective trauma, with Crimean Tatars demonstrating a strong pro-Ukrainian stance based on their historical experiences with Russia. The ongoing conflict exacerbates their struggles, intensifying the inherited traumatic memories with new challenges.

This research emphasises the significant role of collective memory in shaping the socio-political realities of the Crimean Tatars and provides insights into the durability of this community. Future studies could expand the sample size and geographical coverage, including the fourth generation, to further explore the extent of the presence of collective memory and its impact on subsequent generations.