Documenting Meryem’s Engagement

I first met Meryem while working on my art project focused on indigenous peoples affected by the legacy of the Russian Empire. Meryem, a Crimean Tatar, comes from a family deeply rooted in activism—her father was a prominent politician who dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of indigenous people. When Meryem asked me to document her engagement to Fatih, whose family is originally from Macedonia but identifies as Turkish, I was honored to capture such a meaningful occasion.

The evening was intimate and filled with warmth. Held in the backyard of Fatih’s parents’ home, it was a celebration of love and unity between two rich cultural traditions. The engagement consisted of two distinct parts—the “blue” part and the “red” part.

During the blue part, Meryem and Fatih exchanged rings in the presence of family and friends, accompanied by a prayer. It was fascinating to witness how the Crimean and Turkish traditions came together. As part of the Crimean custom, Meryem held a tray filled with sweets, which she offered to the guests. After the rings were exchanged, she playfully tapped her single friends on the head with the tray, adding a joyful, symbolic touch to the occasion.

As the sun set, the red part of the evening began—the traditional henna night. Under the soft glow of evening lights, I watched as Crimean and Turkish traditions intertwined seamlessly, a beautiful testament to their shared cultures and love. The entire celebration felt personal and genuine, a true reflection of Meryem and Fatih’s journey together.