“Non-Russian world”: Timerkhan learned to combine Russian and Tatar identities in order to maintain a connection with his ancestors

Tatar grandmother Timerkhana did not teach her son and grandson her language - she thought that it would be a burden for them. Timerkhan grew up in a Russian-speaking environment, surrounded by predominantly Russian Orthodox people. On Easter he painted eggs, on Forgiveness Sunday he asked for forgiveness from his relatives, and these traditions have remained with him to this day. But besides them, Timerkhan had others: studying the Tatar language, talking with his grandmother, and also comprehending his second culture.

This graphic story is based on a letter from Timerkhan to the editors of 7x7.
Want to share your story of finding identity or facing a hostile society? Write to us via the form via the link .