«To my dear friend» — with these words the great Crimean Tatar poet Bekir Choban-zade inscribed his poem «Student» dedicated to Khalil Chapchakchi. One of the most brilliant representatives of early 20th century Crimean Tatar intelligentsia, Khalil Chapchakchi lived a bright but short life — one of the few of his time to obtain higher education, he actively participated in the peninsula’s political life during revolutions and civil war, served as chief editor of «Golos Tatar» newspaper, and later became People’s Commissar of Education. But little is known about this man’s fate. Journalist and chief editor of «Golos Kryma» newspaper Eldar Seitbekirov, who painstakingly reconstructs Khalil Chapchakchi’s biography, shared with us the milestones of this outstanding political figure’s life.
