THE THEME OF THE DEPORTATION OF CRIMEAN TATARS IN POPULAR SONGS

Abstract

In the article an attempt of the analysis of two songs composed and performed by Jamala, a Ukranian singer of Crimean Tatar origin, has been made. The songs under the study − ‘1944’ and ‘The way home’ – are both dedicated to the deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 forced many Crimean Tatars to leave the peninsula as protestors against Russian colonial regime were persecuted, threatened, killed. Jamala together with her dissident compatriots had to leave their ancestors’ land in 2014. Crimean Tatars including the singer’s grandparents underwent ruthless mass deportation in 1944. Jamala like other Crimean Tatars of her age represents the generation who were born in deportation, returned home and were doomed to experience the repeat of the forced exile. The singer knows the tragic collisions of her family history from her parents and grandparents who passed down to her their invaluable legacy − Crimean Tatar language, traditions, stories, memories, music, songs – the core of their identity. Jamala and her family are the witnesses and keepers of historical truth and authenticity which serves the foundation for the investigated texts.