Eleven years ago, in the wake of Ukraine’s revolution of dignity, so-called “green men” appeared all over the Crimean peninsula. It was the start of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, which was the preamble to the full-scale war Russia is now waging on Ukraine. Among those who suffered the most under Russian occupation, is the Crimean Tatar population, many of whose organisations have been decried as Muslim terrorist groups. Community leaders and activists have been tortured, arrested, and kidnapped. Many of those who were imprisoned were transported to Russian territory and had to endure long prison sentences.   
 
To understand more about the history of Crimean Tatars, Filmhuis Cavia, Ukrainians in the Netherlands foundation, and Libereco – Partnership for Human rights are showing the 2019 documentary 1944. Deportation. Seventy years before the current annexation, based on orders of Joseph Stalin and the State Defense Committee Crimean, Tatars were deported to the Siberia, Central Asia and Urals regions. During the deportation and in the first years of exile, almost half of deported Crimean Tatars died. This tells about the tragedy and dreams regarding the return to Crimea of those who survived. Through several separate life stories the documentary tells about the tragedy of all Crimean Tatars. Understanding this collective trauma helps us contextualise the new displacements and loss of today.

After the screening, there will be a Q&A about the topic of the film, followed by a moment for the writing of postcards to Crimean Tatar activist. Typical food and drinks will also be available in the cinema.