Republic of Crimea – My Renewed Writings, 2020

I am writing this post from the Republic of Crimea. I have had a long absence from writing, but find myself with extra time now, thanks to COVID-19 and a shutdown at work. In upcoming articles, I will discuss some places I have been, people I have met, and things I have experienced.

I have met many people in Crimea, and want to share these great people with you. I have also had the opportunity to visit interesting places and experience “self isolation” in the Republic of Crimea.

I hope these articles will show you how the average Crimean lives in 2020.

Renewed Writings from Crimea

I was moved to write about Crimea again, based on a discussion I had with British indi journalist Graham Phillips. Graham has spent years in Crimea reporting on the people and changes on the Crimean peninsula. His reports go back to the 2014 referendum to rejoin Russia. Graham is a controversial journalist. I have to say, however, that I have found his reporting on the Republic of Crimea to be spot on.

I did suggest to Graham that I would like to see him present the everyday lives of Crimean’s. He disagreed with me stating:

… the oceanarium worker, Alena, for example, doing her job, giving tours of the oceanarium – isn’t she an everyday person, isn’t that normal life? In that video we see hundreds of people around the hotel – isn’t it normal life to show a hotel functioning, operating? To me, it would seem a very linear view to think otherwise, however, that is my opinion, of course. 

… there are 2.5 million people in Crimea, living 2.5 million different lives. Surely better simply to film things showing Crimean’s as they are, which will inevitably include the ‘normal life’ you speak of? 

After our talk, I do see his point of view. However, I still think there is something missing from his view. There are ordinary “non-tourism” related people who live day to day on the peninsula.

It is my hope that my new articles will show you who these people are.

See also: People of Russia and Crimea – My Experiences, Russian Crimean Status in 2017 Based on an American’s Personal Experience, Bus Ride to Yalta,