Rustem Skybin: The value of knowledge is important not only for history but also for the development of the nation

Interviewer: The first question is somewhat banal, but it is simply impossible without it. Rustem, how did your creative career in ceramic art begin? Why did you decide to connect your life with this field?

Rustem: From early childhood I had a great interest in applied arts. Everything that could be made by hand from improvised materials, I used with pleasure in my work. Plasticine modeling, wood carving, chasing and much more. Thanks to my family and their support in my endeavors, I have determined my path. My family always knew what to give me. The materials, tools, books that I used with pleasure for creativity shaped me as an artist.

Interviewer: How did you manage to open your own studio "El-Cheber" just a year after moving to the capital? What difficulties did you have to face on the way to the discovery? 2014 is a rather stormy year. Moreover, you have become a participant of Euromaidan. I think it is worth reminding..

Rustem: The tragic history of my people over the past few centuries is inextricably linked with aggression from Tsarist Russia, the Soviet Union, and now the Russian Federation. The events that took place in Ukraine in 2014 caused great concern. After the seizure of the Supreme Council of Crimea in Simferopol, the appearance of Russian military equipment on the streets of Crimean cities, I decided to evacuate my family to the mainland and bring my collection of applied art, which I had been collecting for 15 years, to the mainland as well. For the first few months, the situation in the country was difficult, there was no order, and my appeals to state institutions with a request for assistance in allocating premises for their activities unfortunately did not yield results. Ordinary citizens of Ukraine did not receive support from the state, my friends and acquaintances helped me find commercial premises in Kyiv. Having rented an office, I began to restore my creative activity, redraw documents, re-registered my public organization, enterprise and bank account. This also caused great difficulties for the first refugees, the country was not ready for such problems.

Interviewer: How did the situation in Crimea affect your future work? You became a volunteer of the "Crimea SOS" project, tell us a little more about your role in it.

Rustem: In 2014, I took part in the Simferopol Euromaidan, anxiously watched the events that took place in the capital, and was in constant contact with my friends in Kyiv. At the end of February 2014 My friends in Kyiv organized a community center “Crimea SOS” which took responsibility for the communication of migrants from Crimea. Having phoned them and deciding to leave, “Crimea SOS” organized the move and met us in the capital. The next day I came to their office and volunteered to work. At first, they received calls to the hotline, met and accommodated the displaced persons, in parallel, I gave interviews covering the events that took place in Crimea. A few months later, he organized a protest exhibition, focusing on our cultural self-identity, which was once again subject to annexation and destruction.

Interviewer: Being an artist is one thing, teaching is another. For some time, you taught at the "Chelmekchilyer" children's studio. What is teaching for you? Opening new horizons for yourself and others in your own field, or just ordinary work.

Rustem: The value of knowledge is important not only for history but also for the development of the nation, therefore the continuity and transfer of knowledge is the main task of all masters of the bearers of the traditions of the people. It is with great pleasure and awe that I pass on this experience of generations by continuing to educate young people for whom their homeland is not indifferent.

Interviewer: You were a participant of the festival in Toronto. Tell us about your experience, what was remembered the most.

Rustem: Participation in international festivals allows you to look at yourself from the outside, get to know other cultures, gain new knowledge and share your own. The festival in Toronto was a dream for me, and the main purpose of the trip was to get acquainted and study the experience of Ukrainian emigrants who, being far from their homeland, retained their identity in spite of everything. Also acquaintance with the indigenous people of Canada - the Indians and their experience.

Interviewer: After the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine, what has changed in your creative activity? How do you manage in such difficult times to continue your ceramic work and help the preserved cultures, despite the military actions?

Rustem: After Russia's massive invasion of Ukraine and the start of the war. For the first month I was engaged in the evacuation of people from Kyiv and the Kyiv region, took refugees to the station. Delivered humanitarian aid. In the evenings and nights during the curfew, I drew posters in digital format, based on the result I made a project. Understanding that Victory, the desire for justice and freedom depends on each of us gives strength and self-confidence. Admiration for people who united in achieving goals inspire and give hope for our victory.

Photo sources: The Day and Ukrainian Fashion Week