Ayşe Dittanova

Ayşe Dittanova (; 27 February 1918 – 15 November 2015) was a Crimean actress, initiator of the revival of the Crimean Tatar Drama Theater. Honored Artist of Ukraine.

Early life and education Ayşe Dittanova was born on 27 February 1918 in village of Dereköy (now abolished village in Crimea, included in the city of Yalta). In 1933, Dittanova graduated from the Simferopol Theater College. After graduation she began working in the troupe of the Crimean Drama Theater.

Career In 1937 the repressions against the Crimean Tatars have started in the USSR and the spouses of Dittanova's sisters were accused of “treason” and murdered. Despite all the difficulties, Dittanova did not leave the theater, although she was given small episodic roles.

In 1989, Dittanova returned to Crimea and immediately started working on the restoration of the Crimean Tatar Theater.

In 1993, Dittanova was awarded a title of an Honored Artist of Ukraine for a significant contribution to the development of culture.

Ayşe Dittanova died on 15 November 2015 in New York.