Sunday schools in Simferopol , Sudak , Yalta , Alushta , Yevpatoria and Theodosia . Moreover , in September 1999 , one year after the constitution was adopted , the first consolidated Armenian language class in Crimea was opened in Simferopol School no . 33 , where , in addition to the main curriculum , primary school students had Armenian language lessons twice a week ( Crimean Armenian Community 2021 ).
Article 14 of the ARC Constitution concentrates on citizens ’ rights and interests in the sphere of national culture . This is another representation of Crimean law taking into consideration its diverse and multi-national population . The subpoints of Article 14 concentrate on the “ preservation of the diversity of cultures which were formed in the Crimean Peninsula in the course of history ” ( Constitution of Crimea 1998 , article 14.1 ). The article also provides different cultures and nationalities with an opportunity to form associations that will establish their rights and interests . This particular point gives the green light to nationalities to form their community representing bodies in order to preserve their national identity outside their homeland .
According to Article 14.4 , citizens of all ethnicities should be given the right to celebrate ethnic holidays , profess their religion , satisfy their needs in literature and arts , to establish ethnic mass media , publishing houses , museums , theatres , film studios and other ethnic , cultural and educational establishments pursuant to the Constitution of Ukraine and Ukrainian laws ( Constitution of Crimea 1998 , Article 14.2 ).
“ The Crimean Armenian Society ”, which was formed in 1989 , is an example of the proper functioning of Article 14 .
Figure 1 . Population of Crimea by ethnicity in 2001 and 2014
2001 ( number )
2001 ( percentage )
2014 ( number )
Russians |
1,450,000 |
60.4 |
1,492,078 |
67.9 |
Ukrainians |
576,600 |
24 |
344,515 |
15.7 |
Crimean Tatars |
259,000 |
11 |
232,340 |
10.6 |
Belarussians |
35,000 |
1.46 |
21,694 |
0.95 |
Tatars |
13,500 |
0.56 |
45,000 |
1.96 |
Armenians |
10,000 |
0.4 |
11,030 |
0.5 |
Total Population |
2,401,200 |
100 |
2,293,673 |
100 |
Source : Ukrainian census results 2001 , Crimean census results 2014 |
2014 ( percentage )
30