Germany, Dortmund

Alim Muratasal from the village of Bagatyr in Crimea hoped his entire life to find his relatives, but was unable to do so. Born on May 27, 1878, Muratasal worked as a teacher in his village, was married, and raised two children. His son, Abduraman, lived in the village of Foti-Sala, and his daughter married Abdujemil Saniev from the village of Kokkos.

During World War I, Alim Muratasal served in the Russian army, was captured, and sent to Germany. After the war, fearing persecution by the Soviets, he was unable to return to Crimea and spent the rest of his life on the von Hertel family estate in Freienhagen. Here he worked, lived, and constantly hoped to find his relatives.

Alim Muratasal died on June 11, 1964, at the age of 86. According to his will, the von Hertel family, who cared for him, held a dignified funeral and adorned his tombstone with a crescent moon. Muratasal wished that if his inheritance did not reach his relatives, it would go to the German family who had assumed his care.

The von Hertel family searched for Muratasal’s relatives in Crimea for years, but to no avail. The search continues with the next generation of the family. They are striving to fulfill the last wish of the “Crimean grandfather.”

If the names mentioned in this article sound familiar to you or you have information about the people mentioned, please leave a comment or contact documentary filmmaker Marianna Gaiduchik directly: mgajduchik@gmail.com, +380975755514.

History is a call to action to find relatives in Crimea: “He who seeks will surely find.” 🙏🏻