Times have been tough for Crimea's Tatar minority since Russia's annexation of the peninsula in 2014, but these photographs from a traditional wedding shows that there is still plenty of spirit in a community that is remaining true to its heritage.
For Crimea's embattled Tatar minority, weddings are an important manifestation of their values and traditions. Moreover, because of both formal and de facto travel restrictions, Crimean Tatar extended families rarely get to see each other, so marriage celebrations are a vital way of staying in touch. Photographer Nazar Volnyl recently attended a traditional wedding between Arsen and Sabina, two Tatars living on the Black Sea peninsula, and took these pictures of their special day for the Crimean Desk of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.
Keeping Tatar Traditions Alive With A Crimean Wedding
Here is today's map of the latest situation in the Donbas conflict zone, courtesy of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE):
Here's a nice video report about how an NGO is using puppets to help warn Ukrainian children about the dangers of undetonated explosives:
Some 168 children have been injured, and 65 killed, by mines and unexploded ordnance since the conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine in March 2014, according to UNICEF figures. Now, Swiss volunteers are taking a puppet show on a tour of schools and kindergartens to teach children the dangers. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
