The Crimea is a predominantely Russian-speaking area at the north end of the Black Sea. Since the 1950s, it was part of Ukraine (and before that, the Ukrainian SSR), but in March, 2014, amid tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Crimea voted for annexation to Russia (which was done, without Ukrainian consent, after a one-day period of Crimean independence which was not internationally recognized.).

The music of the Crimea’s anthem was adopted after a contest by the republic’s Supreme Council (parliament) on February 26, 1992, while still an autonomous republic of Ukraine. The text was chosen also after a contest (the winner was the wife of the republic’s Minister of Culture) and was adopted by the Supreme Council on October 18, 2000.

Special thanks to: Pavel Zinovatny for the lyrics, sheet music, and some of this information.