THE VIRTUAL MUSEUM AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PRESERVING THE CULTURAL IDENTITY OF THE CRIMEAN TATAR PEOPLE

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of preserving the cultural identity of the Crimean Tatar people in the context of societal digitalization. The aim of the work is to substantiate the concept of a virtual museum of Crimean Tatar culture as an instrument for preserving cultural identity and to determine its educational potential. Based on an analysis of existing digital projects, including the virtual museum "Great Victory" and the "Larishess Collection," a research gap is identified: a holistic virtual museum that unites traditions, history, memory of the Great Patriotic War and deportation, as well as the contemporary heritage of the Crimean Tatar people, has not been created to date. A concept of a virtual museum organized into five thematic halls is proposed: "Origins," "Fate," "Living History," "Memory," and "Heritage." Each hall demonstrates the distinctiveness of the Crimean Tatar people and their culture. The technological implementation of the project involves the use of 3D panoramas, interactive information panels, a database with search by exhibits, and gamification elements. It is shown that the virtual museum possesses significant educational potential: it can be used in schools and universities as an additional resource for studying the history of Crimea, the Great Patriotic War, cultural studies, Crimean studies, and Sevastopol studies. In the conditions of multiethnic Crimea, the project can become a platform for intercultural dialogue, help overcome stereotypes, and strengthen civic identity. The author concludes that such a museum can serve as an example for other ethnic groups whose preservation of historical memory requires digitalization, which in the long term will lead to the creation of a unified virtual space of memory for the peoples of Russia.