LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN SOUTHERN UKRAINE IN THE 19TH CENTURY: INTELLECTUAL PRACTICES OF MUNICIPAL ELITES IN THE PROCESSES OF MODERNIZATION AND THE FORMATION OF THE URBAN PUBLIC SPHERE
The aim of this study is to examine the intellectual activities of local government representatives in southern Ukraine during the 19th and early 20th centuries as a means for shaping public opinion. Scientific novelty. This article analyzes the activities of local government in southern Ukraine from a social perspective. Within the framework of this study, the historical process is examined not as the evolution of political institutions, but through the lens of the intellectual history of the activities of local government representatives in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Research methodology. Methodologically, this study is based on a human-centered approach, which was applied to analyze the individual of municipal employees through the lens of the diversity of their experiences, allowing for the exploration of self-government as a personal phenomenon. The human-centered approach is complemented by a local research method, which makes it possible to highlight the uniqueness and individuality of each local government unit and outline its spatial configuration at the social level, thereby shedding light on the cultural dimension. Within the framework of local history, the concept of microhistory is employed, which helped explain the work of specific historical figures in unconventional contexts. The study focuses primarily on analyzing and reinterpreting the experience of self-governing institutions in southern Ukraine. Conclusions. The findings indicate that the intellectual work of local government deputies in southern Ukraine deserves attention, as it embodies the experience of the practical implementation of municipal work at the local level. Their work, for the most part, is not purely academic but applied. They convey information and draw upon sources that, unfortunately, have not survived to the present day. Various aspects of practical self-governing activities are conveyed and characterized through the prism of the authors’ personal perceptions of the period under study.
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WNISEF’S ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN UKRAINE FROM (2015–2021)
The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of international technical assistance programs implemented by the American Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF, which currently operates as the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund) on the socioeconomic development and profound transformation of local communities in the southern regions of Ukraine (Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Kherson regions) in 2015–2021. The methodological basis of this study is grounded in the fundamental principles of historicism, scientific objectivity, and a systematic approach. To achieve the set goal, general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, and comparison were actively employed. In addition, a modern interdisciplinary approach was applied to comprehensively study the complex mechanisms of interaction between international financial institutions and local authorities, business representatives, and civil society organizations within the framework of implementing innovative initiatives. The scientific novelty of the article lies in its detailed focus on a little-studied aspect – the regional specifics of the Fund’s work directly in southern Ukraine. This work introduces, for the first time, up-to-date and systematized data on the actual effectiveness of economic and social reforms in Ukrainian communities in the period prior to the full-scale invasion, revealing a unique mechanism of how international technical assistance influences local development. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of international technical assistance programs implemented by the American foundation Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF, which currently operates as Ukraine-Moldova American. The paper provides a detailed analysis of WNISEF’s key areas of activity after 2014, when comprehensive support for decentralization and institutional strengthening became a strategic priority. It is demonstrated that the Fund played a significant role in modernizing the educational infrastructure of the South by funding hub rural schools under the “Pilot 24” initiative. A substantial contribution to urban development is highlighted through the example of institutional support for the Mykolaiv Development Agency. The successful implementation of large-scale educational programs was noted: the establishment of the Mykolaiv branch of the Ukrainian Academy of Leadership (UAL) and support for free IT training for schoolchildren. Significant attention was paid to stimulating innovative business through investments in technology startups, as well as the DREAMactions microgrant initiative for social projects. The author concludes that cooperation between influential international organizations, local government bodies, and community representatives has become an extremely effective tool for stimulating sustainable regional development. And the innovative projects implemented by WNISEF serve as a vivid example of effective collaboration that ensures the irreversibility of transformational processes and can be fruitfully utilized in shaping future reconstruction strategies.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE SYSTEM OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE TERNOPIL VOIVODESHIP (1930–1939)
The aim of the article is to provide a comprehensive study of the transformation of the secondary education system in the Ternopil Voivodeship in 1932–1939 within the context of the implementation of the nationwide educational reform of the Second Polish Republic. In particular, it focuses on identifying structural, substantive, organizational, and personnel changes, as well as determining their impact on the development of the regional educational environment. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the introduction of the two-tier model of secondary education, the role of lyceums as a new type of educational institution, and the specific features of the functioning of state and private educational institutions in the multiethnic environment of the voivodeship. Research methods are based on a combination of general scientific and specialized historical approaches. The principles of historicism, objectivity, and systematicity have been applied, making it possible to consider educational processes within a broad socio-political context. The study employs methods of source analysis, comparative-historical, problem-chronological, and structuralfunctional approaches. The source base consists primarily of materials from educational periodicals, which made it possible to reconstruct both the regulatory foundations of the reforms and the practice of their implementation at the level of the Ternopil Voivodeship. The results of the study have shown that the transformation of the secondary education system in 1932–1939 was comprehensive and encompassed all key elements of the educational system. It has been established that the implementation of the Jędrzejewicz reform led to a transition from the eight-year gymnasium to a model consisting of a four-year gymnasium and a two-year lyceum, which ensured differentiation and specialization of education. In the region, there was an active expansion of the network of lyceums in district centers, contributing to broader access to secondary education. The modernization of the curriculum has been analyzed, particularly the introduction of applied subjects and the development of vocational education oriented toward labor market needs. Significant changes in teacher training have been identified, including the liquidation of teacher seminaries and the establishment of pedagogical lyceums. Particular attention is also given to the role of the private education sector and the specifics of national policy, manifested in the implementation of bilingualism (utrakwism) and the functioning of Ukrainian educational institutions under state supervision. Conclusions. The transformation of the secondary education system in the Ternopil Voivodeship in 1932–1939 was an integral part of the nationwide process of educational modernization and, at the same time, reflected regional socio-economic and national specificities. The reform contributed to the unification of the educational system, the improvement of the quality of student training, and the expansion of the functional capacities of secondary education, although it was accompanied by contradictory tendencies in the sphere of national policy. Overall, the educational transformations of this period laid the foundation for the formation of a new model of secondary education oriented toward combining general cultural training with the practical professionalization of youth.
TRANSPARENCY AS A COMPONENT OF THE POLICY OF “PERESTROIKA” IN THE KYIV REGION
This article examines the process of shaping the policy of glasnost (transparency) in the Kyiv region during the period of “perestroika” (perebudova); analyzes the factors that influenced its development; and identifies the characteristic features, peculiarities, and consequences of glasnost’s development in the region. The aim of the study is a comprehensive scientific analysis of the tasks and goals that the Soviet authorities set for themselves when implementing the policy of glasnost, as well as society’s reaction to these changes. The methodological basis of the study consists of the general scientific principles of historicism and objectivity, as well as retrospective, comparative-historical, and analytical approaches. The principle of historicism allows us to examine the process of glasnost in the Kyiv region within the context of the prevailing historical circumstances, namely the policy of “perestroika” under the leadership of M. Gorbachev. The principle of objectivity reveals to us the true picture of the highly contradictory and complex circumstances of the second half of the 1980s. in which the Ukrainian SSR, and specifically the Kyiv Oblast, found themselves. The retrospective method allows us to extrapolate the process of expanding freedom of speech and government communication, along with its challenges, onto contemporary sociopolitical trends. The comparative-historical method reveals the distinctive features and characteristics of the glasnost policy in the Kyiv Oblast and other regions of Ukraine. The analytical method allows us to identify the causes and factors that influenced glasnost in the Kyiv region. Scientific novelty. The policy of glasnost, as a component of the perestroika policy initiated by M. Gorbachev, is highly relevant and has been covered in the works of a considerable number of scholars in more general terms. However, the regional specifics of this process remain insufficiently studied. Therefore, the study of the policy of glasnost in the Kyiv region under perestroika is highly relevant and of significant scientific interest. Results and Conclusions. The characteristic features and specific aspects of the implementation of the policy of glasnost in the Kyiv region during the period of perestroika included, on the one hand, traditional measures that were in line with all-Union and republican initiatives: establishing communication channels between the authorities and the public through the organization of “round tables,” “hotlines,” open-house days, informal meetings within work collectives; conducting various types of surveys to gauge public sentiment and opinion; implementing and/or simulating changes in the openness of party and state structures; strengthening the role of the press to increase public awareness and reduce the information vacuum; and expanding and deepening the process of rehabilitation, etc. On the other hand, the implementation of the policy of glasnost in the Kyiv region had its own peculiarities, which were due to the fact that the Kyiv region, as a region close to the capital of the Ukrainian SSR, had the opportunity to accelerate, in the context of social-political processes due to the high concentration of elites, including opposition figures, while simultaneously hindering them because of their proximity to the decision-making center at the republican level, where conservative figures constantly sought to slow the pace of social transformation. A specific factor influencing the development of glasnost in the region was the Chernobyl tragedy, which effectively became a kind of litmus test – for a long time, silence and disinformation served as the framework for information about the accident. As a result, the energy disaster quickly transformed from an environmental factor in public life into a powerful political one. Furthermore, during the implementation of glasnost policies, the Kyiv region was characterized by territorial heterogeneity and a variety of models for permissible actions in the information sphere – ranging from the liberal capital to the restrictive provincial – which significantly limited full freedom of speech.
URBAN TRANSFORMATION OF KHERSON AT THE TURN OF THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES: ELECTRIC TRANSPORT AS A MECHANISM OF URBAN MODERNIZATION
The purpose of this article is to analyze the processes of organization, evolution, and development of Kherson’s urban space at the beginning of the 20th century in the context of modernization processes in southern Ukraine, in particular through the attempt to introduce electric trams under an agreement with Italian citizen V.F. Bоsalini. The article compares Kherson with its neighboring cities, Odesa and Mykolaiv, where tramways were implemented, which allows us to assess the peculiarities of local urban transformation. Methodologically, the study is based on a comprehensive historical and urban analysis using a cybernetic approach to urban space management and the theory of urban system modernization. It uses an analysis of archival sources, in particular a comparative analysis of the experience of other southern cities in the field of tramway implementation and technological modernization. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the comprehensive combination of two theoretical concepts: cybernetically oriented urban space management and the theory of modernization with a European orientation. Another scientific novelty is that we introduce new archival documents into scientific circulation. The main content of the article shows that the agreement with Bоsalinі contained a potential management system integrating transport, energy, and social infrastructure that corresponded to the principles of feedback, hierarchy, and adaptability. However, the project remained unrealized, which fundamentally distinguishes the modernization of Kherson and Mykolaiv from Odesa, where tramways contributed to the formation of integrated cybernetic systems of urban management and socio-economic dynamics. The article also highlights the role of foreign entrepreneurs as agents of European modernization who could have introduced advanced European technical standards, organizational models, and urban practices in Kherson. The conclusions emphasize that the lack of practical implementation of the project limited Kherson’s modernization potential, leaving its urban space in a state of potential but incomplete transformation.
HISTORICAL WEAPONS SCIENCE IN THE SYSTEM OF TRAINING HISTORY TEACHERS IN UKRAINE
The article states that historical weapons science as an interdisciplinary field of historical science is an important component of reconstructing the past, as it makes it possible to reproduce not only military technologies, but also economic connections, social structure, and artistic-aesthetic concepts according to the societal development certain realities. Promising opportunities for involving the entire complex of historical weapons science in the modern educational space and integrating the history of weapons into the curricula for training future history teachers in Ukraine are considered in the defined context. The aim of the study is the analysis of professional historiography which allows future teachers to develop skills in the critical analysis of the history of armament problems and contributes to mastering the basic tools for researching the main stages of formation, development, and the current state of the scientific field. Methodology: general and specialized methods were used: comparative-historiographical, source studies, biographical and periodization methods. The integrative nature of the defined complex allows demonstrating to future specialists the significance of the role and place of weapons in military-political events and its indirect influence on societal and global realities. Results: it has been proven that the study of the history of armament is an integral part of understanding the worldview perception of war; the comprehension of the process of forming military traditions, historical memory, national identity, and the patriotic education of youth in general. The stages of the Ukrainian school of weapons science formation have been personified – from the first archaeological descriptions to the establishment of systematic scientific approaches and integration into the global scientific space. The trends of the current stage of development have been outlined – interdisciplinarity, combining historical-typological analysis with materials science methods, the introduction of digital technologies and the activation of international scientific cooperation. It has been emphasized that creating an integrally embedded platform of weapons science in the educational process is the key to developing students’ ability for creative scientific research thinking. Conclusions: at the beginning of the 21st century the professional historiography of Ukrainian weapons science allows teachers of higher education institutions to rely on the scientific achievements of domestic researchers. It has been proven that historical weapons science have a promising opportunity for further integration into the educational process as a separate block of academic disciplines. They are intended to help create an integrated system of civilizational development based on a worldview understanding of the military component and to contribute to the development of key professional skills of future specialists who will be able to effectively influence the formation of historical consciousness among the youth of Ukraine.
THE KGB`S STRUGGLE AGAINST THE UKRAINIAN SIXTIES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 1960S
The purpose of the article is a comprehensive analysis of the forms, methods, and mechanisms of the KGB`s struggle against the Ukrainian Sixties in the first half of the 1960s, with an explanation of the evolution of the intelligence, operational, and preventive activities of the special service and the preparation of the groundwork for further repressive actions. The methodological basis of the article was the principles of objectivity, historicism, comprehensiveness, continuity, as well as a complex of special-historical and general scientific methods. The work used methods of analysis and synthesis, retrospective, problem-chronological, and the method of comparison and comparison of information from various sources. Results and conclusions. In the first half of the 1960s, the KGB developed specific tactics against the sixties, which differed from practices against underground organizations: instead of mass arrests, agent-operational measures, prevention and ideological pressure dominated. Already in the late 1950s, the foundation of systemic control was laid – an extensive agent network, mass “preventive conversations”, recruitment attempts and interrogations testified to the early institutional reaction of the penal authorities to the activation of the cultural movement. In 1963–1964, pressure took on more pronounced forms: along with public ideological campaigns, agent operations were deployed; in particular, the case of the group development “88” was opened. The totality of the recorded measures indicates a transition from fragmentary supervision to systematic preparation of a large-scale repressive action, implemented as early as 1965. The intensification of preventive work in the mid-1960s indicates that the KGB sought not only to control, but also to intercept the semantic leadership among the Sixties. It is significant that even many hours of conversations and coercion to “repent” did not guarantee the cessation of the Sixties` activity, which led to the further radicalization of the actions of the special services. Active “study” of regional cells and an attempt to connect the Sixties with the OUN underground completed the formation of the narrative about the “heirs of the nationalists”, which became the basis for subsequent arrests. In the first half of the 1960s, an institutional, agentic, and propaganda infrastructure was created to combat the sixties, which determined the nature of the repressive policy of the middle and second half of the decade.
REGIMENTAL AND COMPANY-LEVEL ACCOUNTING AND STATISTICAL DOCUMENTS IN THE SYSTEM OF OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION OF THE HETMANATE
This study focuses on regimental and company-level accounting and statistical records as an essential component of the system of official communication within the Hetmanate during the second half of the seventeenth and the eighteenth centuries. The primary aim of the research is to determine their functional purpose, informational capacity, and role in maintaining administrative interaction between the governing institutions of the Cossack state. A detailed examination of this group of documents makes it possible to identify specific features of their formal structure and to highlight the mechanisms of information exchange between interdependent branches of authority in the Hetmanate period. Methods. The research is based on a combination of general scholarly and specialized methods, including historical-typological, structural-functional, comparative, and source-critical analysis. The application of document studies methodology allowed for the clarification of the internal structure of document forms, their content organization, and the communicative functions performed by accounting and statistical records produced by regimental and company chanceries. Results. It has been established that accounting and statistical documents – such as registers, lists, computational records, oath and record books, census books, and revisions – served not only statistical and fiscal purposes but also fulfilled an important communicative function by facilitating information flows between different levels of authority. Their significance for the personalization of Cossack company units and for the reconstruction of the social structure of the population has been analyzed. The study demonstrates that these documents constitute a unique source base that enables the tracing of transformations in administrative practices under the influence of the imperial policies of the Russian state. Conclusions. Regimental and company-level accounting and statistical documents represent a valuable source for the study of official communication, administrative traditions, and the socio-economic development of the Hetmanate. Owing to their multifunctional nature, these texts inform, regulate, identify, and contribute to the formation of historical memory. Their analysis provides deeper insight into the functioning of the Ukrainian administrative system and its transformation under colonial Russian influence, particularly given that the subsequent development of record-keeping practices in Ukraine occurred within the framework of their unification with the administrative standards of the Russian Empire.
THE ARMY OF THE CRIMEAN KHANATE IN THE MILITARY CAMPAIGNS AGAINST THE MOLDOVAN PRINCIPALITY (1484–1538)
The article examines the features of the military campaigns of the Crimean Khanate, as an ally of the Ottoman Empire, against the Moldavian Principality during 1484-1538, analyzes the number, armament and tactics of the Crimeans, the process of Moldova’s transformation into a vassal state of the Porte is shown. The purpose of the study is a comprehensive analysis of the participation of the Crimean Khanate’s army in hostilities against Moldova in 1484-1538. The methodological basis of the article is the general scientific principles of historicism, objectivity and systematicity. The historical-genetic method allows us to trace changes in political relations between the Porte, the Crimean Khanate and Moldova. The historical-comparative method allows us to compare the army of the Moldavian Principality, the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire, primarily their numerical composition, tactics and features of military art. Scientific novelty. The article shows the significant role of the Crimean Tatars in the conquest of Moldova by the Ottoman Empire. A large array of contemporary narrative sources, works of Romanian, Turkish and Ukrainian researchers are used. The reports of the contemporary chronicles and annals about the battles of 1518 and 1538 are critically examined – mainly about the number of participants, the course and consequences. It is proven that the actions of the Crimeans weakened the ability of Moldova to resist the Turks, dealt a powerful blow to the mobilization capabilities of the principality, and also made a significant contribution to the tactical and field reconnaissance of the Ottomans. It is traced that Moldova was never able to find effective allies among other states, and Poland, due to the conflict over Pokuttya, acted as a situational ally of the Porte, in particular in the campaign of 1538. Conclusions. The Turkish sultans began to involve the Tatars for raids on the Moldavian territories from the second half of the 15th century, as an instrument of pressure, intimidation and punishment. The Tatar raid of 1518 ended in failure for them, as the Moldavian army, thanks to night maneuvers, was able to defeat the Crimean camp and pursued the enemy. Relations between Moldova and the Porte significantly worsened during the reign of the lord Petru Rareş. It is proven that the military campaign of the Porte in 1538 had a number of reasons, primarily due to the actions of the Moldavian lord P. Rareş, strategic goals and the need to obtain a bridgehead for further campaigns against European states. It is concluded that the principality in 1538 was unable to fully mobilize the army due to the actions of the Tatars and the resistance of the Moldavian elite (boyars), the lord was unable to give the enemy a decisive battle in a pre-selected place. The Crimean Khanate, thanks to the use of successful tactics and maneuvers, actively contributed to the capture of Moldova by the Ottomans. Due to their high mobility, the Crimeans were engaged in tactical reconnaissance on the battlefield, carried out diversionary maneuvers, and were recruited by the Ottomans to collect fodder and supplies on the territory of Moldova.
THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF BUREAUCRACY: SOURCE ASPECTS OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE KHERSON CITY COUNCIL IN 1879
The study of local self-government in Kherson in the second half of the 19th century is becoming particularly important today due to the large-scale loss of documentary heritage caused by the Russian occupation in 2022. A significant part of the pre-revolutionary funds of the State Archives of the Kherson Region, in particular the materials of the city council, were stolen. This necessitates the introduction into scientific circulation of those sources that have been preserved in copies and private collections, which acquires not only scientific but also memorial significance. The purpose of the article is to reconstruct the administrative everyday life of Kherson in 1879 through the analysis of materials from fund No. 4 of the State Archives of the Kherson Region, which represent the activities of the city council and the administration. The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach and the theory of everyday life, which allows sources to be viewed as textual representations of social order, communication practices, and authoritative discourse. The main research materials include: the Journal of the Kherson City Duma Meetings and the Memorial Book of the Kherson City Public Administration. The first document records the chronicle of the practical work of the Duma – the composition of those present, the course of discussions, and the adoption of decisions, which allows us to trace the mechanisms of the functioning of the city bureaucracy. The second summarizes the activities of the local government, providing systematic data on finances, staff, institutions, and commissions. Together, they reproduce the rhythm of city life, show the logic of decision-making, and the forms of communication between the Duma and the administration, the deputies, and the community. The regularity of meetings (mostly weekly) and the content of discussions – from economic issues to the supervision of schools and hospitals – demonstrate the establishment of a stable administrative routine. It is in these practices that the formation of local modernity is manifested, where bureaucracy acted not only as an apparatus of power, but also as a social environment of urban life. In conclusion, the analysis of the 1879 Duma documents allows us to reconstruct the social texture of Kherson’s bureaucracy and see how institutional culture, civic participation, and local identity were formed through everyday administrative work. In the context of contemporary military losses, such sources become an act of restoring the historical memory of the city and its past continuity.
SOCIAL MEDIA AS A TOOL FOR DISSEMINATING INFORMATION AND A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHANGE DURING THE REVOLUTION OF DIGNITY
The relevance of the study is due to the defining role of social media in modern political processes and their special significance during the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. During this period, digital platforms acted as an effective space for mobilizing citizens, disseminating alternative information, and forming horizontal connections between protest participants. This helped to overcome the information monopoly of traditional media, ensure broad public support, and intensify international solidarity. Awareness of these processes is a necessary condition for analyzing the development of civil society and democratic transformations in Ukraine. The purpose of this article is to clarify the role of social media as a catalyst for socio-political change during the Revolution of Dignity, as well as to provide a comprehensive analysis of the long-term impact of this experience on the transformation of civic participation and the establishment of democratic institutions. The research methods include the analysis of scientific network sources, content analysis of social materials, as well as systemic and comparative approaches. Their use allowed to protect the regularity of the functioning of digital platforms during the period of mass protests, to identify key mechanisms of mobilization and features of digital communication.The results of the study showed that social media performed a complex function: they ensured the rapid dissemination of information, created conditions for self-organization of participants, facilitated international information exchange and formed a positive image of the protest movement. It has also been found that the multifunctionality of platforms has become the basis for the emergence of new forms of civic engagement, which has evolved from situational coordination to sustainable volunteer initiatives. The conclusions emphasize that social networks during the Revolution of Dignity were not only a communication tool, but also the main factor in the consolidation of civil society. They showed the ability to ensure the democratization of the activity of socio-political processes, contribute to the formation of new forms of citizenship and strengthen the value of freedom and solidarity.
BUILT ON BONES: WASTE RECYCLING IN THE UKRAINIAN SSR IN THE 1920S–EARLY 1930S
Aim of the article – to analyse the formation of state policies on the bone recycling in early Soviet Ukraine, focusing on the needs of Soviet industry, collection spaces, methods and challenges, key actors, and the relationships between them during this activity.Novelty of the study lies in the absence of a dedicated, in-depth analysis of bones as a resource, which this article seeks to address.Methodology: the study is based on documents from Ukrainian archives previously unused in scholarship, materials from Soviet press and popular science literature of the period, and statistical collections. Conclusions: It is concluded that the case of bone collection is indicative of the early Soviet resource management system and serves as a small-scale model of the organization of waste recycling in the 1920s–early 1930s. It is shown that during this period the USSR began developing a model of resource extraction from the periphery, as waste was considered a valuable resource equivalent to grain, forests, coal, gas, and water. Continuity with Russian Imperial collection practices is identified, alongside a demonstrated link between industrialization, urbanization, and the emergence of new collection spaces and methods in the Ukrainian SSR. It is demonstrated that even during the NEP period, the administrative model of recycling illustrates the authorities’ efforts to control resource flows through a planned economy and hierarchical management, involving both state and private collectors. At the same time, incompatible approaches, imbalances between collection costs and procurement prices, and low motivation among workers and the population led to systemic problems, plan failures, and intense competition among collectors, who functioned simultaneously as partners and competitors. It is concluded that while the economic efficiency of early Soviet bone recycling remains questionable, the practice clearly served important political functions: it subordinated the republic’s economy to central directives, demonstrated the mobilization potential of peripheral resources, and showcased the Soviet system’s capacity to effectively organize and utilize them.
BETWEEN STATE PRESSURE AND CHURCH MISSION: THE ACTIVITY OF THE ORTHODOX CLERGY IN THE FORMATION OF FUTURE SEMINARISTS IN THE UKRAINIAN SSR (SECOND HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY)
The purpose of the study is to identify the forms and mechanisms of participation of the Orthodox clergy of the Ukrainian SSR in the training of future seminarians in the second half of the twentieth century, given the restrictions on religious education and the anti- religious policy of the Soviet government. The research methods were problem-chronological, comparative-historical, descriptive, reconstructive, and specific analysis of historical sources. Research results. The participation of the Orthodox clergy of the Ukrainian SSR in the training of future seminarians in the second half of the twentieth century was analysed against the background of restrictions on religious education and the anti-religious policy of the Soviet government. Legal, semi-legal and illegal forms of involving young people in spiritual life were revealed, including liturgical practice, individual mentoring and informal religious education. The role of priests as carriers of religious continuity, spiritual mentors and mediators in forming pastoral personnel was traced. It was found that the informal activity of the clergy in preparing young people for pastoral ministry became a form of latent resistance to the Soviet anti-religious policy and a prerequisite for the religious revival of the late 1980s. Conclusions. The Orthodox clergy in the Ukrainian SSR in the second half of the 20th century played not only a religious and ritual role, but also an educational and upbringing role, taking on the functions of spiritual guidance and initial theological education under strict restrictions. Forming informal mechanisms for training future pastors, parish priests developed a range of adaptation practices that combined participation in divine services, religious education in families, individual conversations, providing access to spiritual literature, and support for applicants at all stages of entering seminaries. These processes acquired both a spontaneous and systemic character within church communities. A feature of the identified practices was their deep roots in the local religious environment and dependence on the personal initiative of the priest, which indicates the human factor's significant role in preserving and transmitting religious tradition. The presence of hidden models of spiritual training and care indicates the viability of the church community even in conditions of ideological control and persecution.
UKRAINIAN-MOLDOVAN RELATIONS DURING THE TIME OF BOHDAN KHMELNYTSKY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SEARCH FOR INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEES OF UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE
The purpose of the article is to conduct a scientific study of the Moldovan direction of Bohdan Khmelnytsky's foreign policy in the context of the formation of Ukrainian Cossack statehood in the mid-17th century. The author analyses the hetman's plans to legitimise his own power, attempts to establish dynastic ties and military-political alliances with the Principality of Moldova as one of the key factors in the implementation of his state-building strategy. The methodological basis of the article is the principles of objectivity, historicism, comprehensiveness, continuity, as well as a comparative analysis of diplomatic documents; a historiographical approach, which together allowed for a comprehensive study of the problem. The work uses an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on data from political history, the history of international relations, and social history. Results and conclusions. It has been established that Khmelnytsky's Moldavian project was an attempt to integrate the Hetmanate into the system of international relations in Eastern Europe through the dynastic marriage of his son Tymofiy to Rozanda Lupu. The aim was to raise the status of the Hetman dynasty to that of European monarchical houses and to ensure a stable rear in the struggle against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Despite short- term successes, in particular the victory at Batog and the conclusion of the Ukrainian-Moldovan alliance, internal opposition in Moldova and external pressure from the Ottoman Empire, Transylvania and Poland led to the collapse of the plans. The defeat at Suceava in 1653 and the death of Tymofiy Khmelnytsky were key moments that forced the hetman to abandon the Moldavian vector and reorient his foreign policy towards an alliance with Muscovy and the Porte. The Moldavian project was an important component of Khmelnytsky's political strategy aimed at creating an independent Ukrainian state. Its failure demonstrated the dependence of hetman diplomacy on international circumstances and internal contradictions in neighbouring countries. The experience of these relations allows us to understand the complexity of the processes of Ukrainian statehood formation in the 17th century and to outline prospects for further research, particularly in the context of Ukrainian-Ottoman and Ukrainian-Transylvanian relations.
PRACTICES OF SURVIVAL AND RESISTANCE DURING THE HOLOCAUST: INTERACTION AND MUTUAL ASSISTANCE (BASED ON INTERVIEWS COLLECTED IN THE KHERSON REGION)
The purpose of the study is to explore individual and collective survival practices during the Holocaust in Southern Ukraine, based on oral testimonies collected as part of the Voices project of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center (Kyiv, 2020). The research aims to reconstruct survival mechanisms, identify factors that contributed to rescue, and analyze the forms of social interaction, moral choice, and mutual assistance under the Nazi occupation regime.Methods. The study employs methods of oral history, microhistory, and the history of everyday life, combined with archival verification of testimonies. Comparative and contextual approaches are applied to identify regional features of survival strategies and to correlate personal narratives with the broader socio-political context of Nazi occupation in Ukraine. The triangulation of sources – interviews, archival materials, and museum collections – ensures the reliability and comprehensiveness of the conclusions.Results. The collected testimonies reveal diverse forms of assistance provided by relatives, neighbors, clergy, and, in some cases, even collaborators. Special attention is given to the role of non-Jewish members of “mixed” families, where mothers often devised complex strategies to save their children. Documented examples include acts of self-sacrifice for the sake of children, formal “baptisms” as a means of rescue, and sheltering Jewish children and adults in non-Jewish households. These stories demonstrate both moral courage and the ambivalence of human behavior under occupation. The testimonies also trace postwar practices of silence and the transformation of family memory, preserving the imprint of collective trauma and reflecting the influence of prosthetic memory. Conclusions. The findings confirm that survival during the Holocaust in Southern Ukraine depended not only on chance but also on networks of interpersonal relations, informal social interactions, and the moral choices of individuals. The study demonstrates that eyewitness testimonies reveal the microhistorical dimension of the Holocaust in Southern Ukraine, where individual and local experiences are embedded within a broader social context of violence, survival, and remembrance. Documenting such stories is crucial for preserving historical memory, overcoming stereotypes, and fostering intercultural dialogue.
REFUGEES FROM NAZI GERMANY: ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSING TO USSR IN 1939–1941
The purpose of the study is to point out the social, political and legal peculiarities that forced people to illegally cross the border between Nazi Germany and the USSR in 1939–1941. The investigation is based on unpublished documents from the State Archives of Lviv Region (DALO) and the State Archives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU State Archives). Criminal cases against persons convicted by special meetings at the MGB (MVS) of the USSR were investigated. Methods. The fundamental principles of the proposed scientific research are: historicism, objective analysis of events and facts, regardless of political or ideological layers.The basis of the research is the use of historical, logical, systemic and structural methods. We will also use the following scientific methods: analytical, chronological and biographical. The use of these methods will contribute to the analysis of a specific problem of historical research. Results. The question of how the international law of the interwar period and the current practice of interstate relations interpreted the right of nations to self-determination and the formal requirements for its implementation is also important for the analysis of the needs and opportunities of the population to exercise mobility. The article examines pecuriarities of illegal border crossing in 1939–1941 between the USSR and Nazi Germany. Specific examples of punishments for violating the border established by totalitarian countries are given. Interstate European borders in many cases did not correspond to the parameters of ethnic demarcation in the period between the two world wars; outside the borders of national states were millions of inhabitants, primarily of those peoples whose interests were not taken into account at the Versailles Conference. Numerous cases of refugees appearing in the USSR from territories controlled by Nazi Germany occurred as early as the fall of 1939. Conclusions. Conclusion about the repressive activities of the Soviet totalitarian regime is based on the results of the analysis of archival materials. It is consisted in severe punishment of refugees and those who needed temporary protection from the Nazi policy of Hitler's Germany. The analysis of criminal cases makes possible to analyze in details the motives of the refugees, their path and further fate. The consideration of individual cases confirmed the political motivation of investigative and judicial bodies, as well as the repressive and punitive system in the USSR. In this article we also take in to account the previous totalitarian experience of social and legal relations in Nazi Germany. Thousands of Jews, sometimes uniting in groups of several dozen people, set off for the USSR because of that. Such refugees from repression often faced a a new meeting with state security agencies in the Soviet Union. Sometimes, on charges of “illegal border crossing,” those convicted received from three to eight years in labor camps. Some of them did not survive. The Soviet and Nazi totalitarian regimes used refugees for their political goals, homogenizing society and intimidating the rest of the citizens.
EXEMPLA OF IACOBUS DE VITRIACO AND HIS PREACHING ACTIVITY
The article comprehensively examines the figure of Jacobus de Vitriaco (Jacques de Vitry) – a prominent French preacher, historian, and church leader of the ХII–ХIII century.The aim of the research is to highlight the biography and preaching activity of Jacobus de Vitriaco through the analysis of various historical sources, including the collection Sermones Vulgares.The methodological foundation of the article rests on general scientific principles of historicism, objectivity, and systematization, as well as on special historical methods such as the historical-typological, problem-chronological, problem-historiographical, and comparative-historical approaches. The study also applies various source-critical techniques for analyzing medieval historical monuments. Through the biographical method, the examination of the life strategies of a prominent clergyman is connected to his worldview, social background, and the broader circumstances that shaped his successful career as a cardinal. Hermeneutic and semiotic approaches enable a qualitative microhistorical analysis of the text. Finally, the deconstruction of selected exempla by Jacobus de Vitriaco helps to identify subconscious linguistic clichés which, together with other verbal formulas and recurring metaphors, demonstrate the repetitive structure of his sermons.Scientific novelty. The article highlights the outstanding role of Jacobus de Vitriaco’s preaching practice in organizing the Crusades and clarifies the significance of exempla in the religious and cultural life of Western Europe in the 12th–13th centuries. It demonstrates that his sermons served as an important medium for spreading the idea of the necessity of the Crusades. It traces the interrelation between personal motives, social and religious ideas, and life circumstances that led him to dedicate himself to missionary work. For the first time, Jacobus de Vitriaco’s exempla are examined through the lens of the so-called history of emotions. The study outlines prospects for further research into Jacobus de Vitriaco’s preaching activity and writings.Conclusions. The authors identified the main stages of Jacques de Vitry’s preaching activity and the specific features of his works, analyzing the peculiarities of medieval exempla as sources – their didactic function, personal, social, and religious motivations – as well as the ways emotions such as fear, anger, shame, and irritation were expressed in connection with moral principles and theological symbolism. The study also considers the relationship between the artistic techniques of a high-ranking cleric, his personal life experience, and the objectives of the Crusades. Jacques de Vitry’s exempla played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of High Medieval Western Europe. The text illustrates how, through vivid and accessible language, the author combined everyday realities with universal moral categories. It concludes that Jacques de Vitry’s exempla not only reflect the spiritual and moral condition of medieval society but also reveal the enduring patterns of human behavior common to different historical epochs.
THE UNIVERSAL CHARACTER OF THE CATHOLIC ACTION IN THE LIGHT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF BISHOP HRYHORIY KHOMYSHYN
The purpose of the study is to analyze the peculiarities of the embodiment and implementation of the ideas of the Catholic Action in the Stanislaviv diocese, to find out how the initiatives of Bishop H. Khomyshyn were in line with the universal principles of secular apostolate, based on documents, in particular, papal encyclicals, pastoral letters, and works by Hryhoriy Khomyshyn. Methodological basis. The study uses historical-comparative and historical-chronological methods, analysis and synthesis, synchronic and diachronic analysis, and the principles of objectivity and impartiality.Results of the study. In the first half of the twentieth century, Catholic Action became the leading form of lay apostolate in the Catholic Church. For the Greek Catholic Church in the Ukrainian lands, this movement was of particular importance due to the challenges of modernization, secularization, and the influence of ideologies. Bishop H. Khomyshyn (1867–1945) played a special role in the implementation of the Catholic Action in the Stanislaviv Eparchy, whose activities went beyond the local and became universal. The study found that the Catholic Action in the Stanislaviv diocese had a clear goal and was based on the ideas of Popes Pius X and Pius XI. A special role in its implementation was played by the institutions created on the initiative of Bishop H. Khomyshyn, in particular, the cultural and educational regional centers of the «Skala» Society. H. Khomyshyn, unlike Metropolitan A. Sheptytsky, emphasized Romanism and strict church discipline, which brought his vision of the problem closer to the Western European model.Conclusions. The Catholic Action in the Stanislaviv Eparchy was an example of a harmonious combination of the universal idea with local church traditions and the historical context of the interwar period. Its implementation contributed to spiritual renewal, the formation of an active laity, and laid the groundwork for a future understanding of the role of believers in the Church. H. Khomyshyn’s experience deserves a deeper understanding in modern religious studies and historical and theological discourse.
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THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL-ECONOMIC PROCESSES IN HUNGARY AFTER THE FIRST WORLD WAR – FROM AUTUMN 1918 TILL 1921
The article describes the complex political and social-economic transformations that took place in Hungary after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a result of its defeat in the First World War.The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the causes and consequences of political instability, revolutionary changes, foreign policy challenges and the social-economic crisis that engulfed Hungary between autumn 1918 to spring 1921. The focus is on the activities of Count Michael Károlyi’s government, its attempts to preserve the country’s territorial integrity, its search for a democratic system and its response to the challenges posed by the newly formed states of Central-Eastern Europe, as well as its desire to modernize the state apparatus and adapt to the new geopolitical environment. It also analyses the ideological conflicts, social mobilization, cultural shifts and the role of the intelligentsia in revolutionary processes.The relevance of the topic is due to the necessity of rethinking the experience of post-imperial transformations in Central-Eastern Europe, which have many parallels with the current processes of state-building, loss of territories, search for political legitimacy and struggle for international recognition. The understanding of the root causes of the crisis of Hungarian statehood helps to better understand the challenges faced by new or transformed states in post-conflict settings.The methods of the study include historical and comparative analysis, a systematic approach and interdisciplinary methodology, which allowed to trace the impact of external and internal factors on the transformation of Hungarian statehood. The study found that the policy of M. Károlyi’s government, despite progressive reforms (democratisation, land issues, creation of a republic), failed to stop the process of territorial disintegration and a deep political crisis. The absence of a stable army, weak foreign policy influence, revolutionary sentiments in the country, resistance from the old political elite and aggressive policies of neighboring states (Romania, Czechoslovakia, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians) led to destabilisation. The proposal to create an „Eastern Switzerland” was not supported. Social protests, the growth of radical sentiment, peasant revolts, and the weakness of the administrative apparatus finally undermined the government's legitimacy.Conclusions: The study has shown that despite the sincere desire for democratic reforms, M. Károlyi’s policy failed in the face of external isolation, internal chaos and military vulnerability. The study of this period allows us to better understand the nature of the political crisis, the nature of post-imperial transformations and the formation of modern Hungarian statehood.
IN SEARCH OF THE NON-EXISTING SITCH: DECONSTRUCTION OF A HISTORIOGRAPHICAL MYTH
The purpose of the article is to verify the existing scientific hypotheses regarding the location of the so-called Bazavlutska Sich and to refute the historiographical construct of its existence as a stationary fortified military-administrative centre based on a comprehensive analysis of historical sources, cartographic materials and satellite images using modern GIS technologies.Research methods used are both general scientific (analysis and synthesis) and special historical methods: cartographic, source study and geographic information systems. Results. The author refutes the idea of the existence of the Bazavlutska Sich as a stable, stationary fortification of the Zaporozhian Cossacks in Velykyi Luh during 1593–1638, which is established in historiography. Based on the analysis of a wide range of written sources, historiography of the XVIII–XXI centuries, cartographic materials and satellite images using GIS technologies, it is established that The Bazavlutska Sich is a historiographical construct formed in the second half of the nineteenth century under the influence of a romantic interpretation of the past and an attempt to fill in the gaps in sources without proper verification.Conclusions. As a result of the study, the assumptions about the location of the so-called Bazavlutska Sich were verified. The analysis has revealed the absence of a stable tradition of locating this fortification in historical sources. The main narratives that shaped the perception of the Bazavlutska Sich during the nineteenth century are based, in fact, only on the testimony of E. Lassota in 1593. The application of the GIS method allowed us to compare the imaginary cartographic image of the Sich with the real landscapes of the Velykyi Luh, discovered after the draining of the Kakhovka Reservoir as a result of the hydroelectric power plant explosion in 2023.The study found that in 1593–1638, the Cossacks did indeed use the territory of Velykyi Luh as a temporary base. However, there is no source evidence to suggest the existence of a permanent, stationary fortification that would meet the characteristics of the Sich as a Cossack political, administrative, and military centre.
SVIATOSLAV KARAVANSKY IN THE UKRAINIAN DISSIDENT MOVEMENT (1960S – 1970S)
The purpose of the article is a comprehensive and complex analysis of Svyatoslav Karavansky’s participation in the Ukrainian dissident movement from the early 1960s to the late 1970s. The methodological basis of the article was the principles of objectivity, historicism, comprehensiveness, continuity, as well as a complex of special-historical and general scientific methods. The work used methods of analysis and synthesis, retrospective, problem-chronological, and the method of comparison and comparison of information from various sources. Results and conclusions. The life path of S. Karavansky in the 1960s–1970s is a striking example of unwavering loyalty to the ideals of national revival, civic dignity, and intellectual resistance to Soviet totalitarianism. His activities within the Ukrainian dissident movement went far beyond personal protest – it took on the character of a long and consistent struggle, combining cultural and educational, journalistic, linguistic and human rights aspects. Sviatoslav Karavansky spoke not only against political repressions, but also against the deeper processes of Russification and the destruction of national identity. His public addresses, protest letters, literary and scientific activities, including the creation of the “Dictionary of Ukrainian Rhymes” and the publication of articles, became important acts of resistance, aimed at both a domestic audience and the international community. S. Karavansky’s imprisonment did not break his spirit, but only deepened his convictions. His activity in the camps, participation in the creation of the “Code of Honor of a Political Prisoner”, hunger strike, and joining the Ukrainian Helsinki Group testify to his transition from individual to collective, structured resistance. S. Karavansky’s experience demonstrates that Ukrainian dissidence was not a homogeneous phenomenon, but had within itself different strategies and approaches to the struggle. At the same time, S. Karavansky personified the most resolute, active line of resistance, which combined personal sacrifice, intellectual work and strategic vision. His contribution to the preservation of Ukrainian national identity, human rights struggle and intellectual heritage is undoubtedly significant and deserves deep scientific understanding and due respect.
PRESERVING THE MEMORY OF FALLEN SOLDIERS OF KHERSON AS A FACTOR IN THE FORMATION LOCAL IDENTITY
The study aims to examine the processes of preserving the memory of the fallen Kherson’s defenders in the context of the formation of the urban community’s local identity in the conditions of a full-scale war against Ukraine. The author pays special attention to oral history as a key method for collecting historical materials that allows for recording the vivid emotional memory of the relatives and families of those who died in the war. The study focuses on the mechanisms of collective memory formation, the transformation of local identities in the frontline city during the occupation in 2022, and the sociocultural significance of honoring the dead as a moral and uniting resource for the community. The methodological foundation includes oral history approaches, source analysis of interviews with local residents, critical analysis of memory narratives, and the elements of micro-history and historical anthropology. Special attention is paid to reconstructing the local war experience of Kherson residents through the prism of personal testimonies, which serve as an important source for interpreting not only the facts but also the value component of historical reality. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the focus on the specificity of local memory in the conditions of the ongoing war and the introduction of new empirical materials – Kherson residents’ oral testimonies about the events of the city defense in the first days of the invasion and the commemoration of the fallen – into scientific circulation. This allows us to take a fresh look at the role of memory as a factor in public mobilization, social unity, and national self-affirmation. The research revealed that preserving the memory of the fallen Kherson’s defenders is not just a historical task but an active factor in local identity formation based on shared experience, values, and moral responsibility. The article underscores the importance of integrating oral history into broader national historiographical and educational practices to preserve memory during wartime to the greatest extent. The conclusions underscore that preserving the memory of the fallen defenders not only performs the function of a moral duty to the past but lays the foundations for the future, through consolidating the values of resistance, dignity, and responsibility in the community’s collective consciousness. In this case, memory is not only the object of historical research but also an active social resource in the struggle for the nation’s identity and dignity.
HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE STUDY OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WESTERN UKRAINE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE UNDERGROUND
The article aims to perform a comprehensive historiographical analysis of the research into the early underground activities of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in Western Ukraine. We seek to trace the evolution of approaches to this issue in different historical and ideological contexts and identify the main narratives and conceptual frameworks within which the UGCC’s activities were interpreted. The methodology of our study is based on the interdisciplinary approach that combines historiographical analysis, the theories of historical and cultural memory, postcolonial studies, and discourse analysis. We also employed the approaches from everyday history to gain a deeper understanding of the life dimension of underground religious practices. The article’s main content includes a systemic review of the primary stages in the development of historiography on the UGCC in underground conditions.We analyzed the Soviet historiography from the 1940s to the 1980s, which presented the UGCC as an “anti-Soviet element” and “the Vatican’s agent” through an ideological lens, denying the fact of religious persecutions and interpreting the violent liquidation of the Church as a “voluntary reunification with Orthodoxy”. The diaspora historiography from the 1940s to the 1980s presents the UGCC as a spiritual resistance to totalitarianism and considers its persecution an act of genocide against Ukrainians’ religious life, highlighting the preservation of church and national identities. The post-Soviet Ukrainian historiography from the 1990s to the 2000s, due to the introduction of archival sources from the SSU, MIA, and CSAPUU into scientific circulation, reinterpreted the events and, for the first time, objectively presented the mechanisms of the violent liquidation of the UGCC, the underground activities of the episcopate and clergy. The western scientific historiography analyzes the UGCC as an example of the religious resistance to the totalitarian system, including it in the broader context of the USSR’s repressive policies towards religious institutions and the research into religious freedom in Central and Eastern Europe. The conclusions emphasize that the historiography of the UGCC’s underground activities evolved from rigid ideological Soviet interpretations to contemporary multi-level interpretations considering political, cultural, and spiritual aspects of the Church’s resistance to the Soviet repressive system. We underscore the importance of further interdisciplinary studies, which will allow for a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of the Church’s underground existence as a component of Ukrainian historical memory and national identity.
“SPANISH CHILDREN” OF UKRAINE: EMIGRANTS FROM SPAIN}IN DNIPROPETROVSK AND THE REGION IN THE 1950S – 1980S.
The purpose of the study is to characterize the conditions of emergence, situation and peculiarities of the Spanish community in Dnipropetrovsk and the region in the 1950s – 1980s in the context of the history of Spanish exiles to the USSR, caused by the events of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). The research is based on unpublished documents from the State Archives of the Dnipropetrovsk region, materials from regional periodicals, memoirs of Spanish outcasts, and the results of studies on Spanish emigration to the USSR. Methods. The study was carried out at the crossroads of regional, local history and the history of international relations, using general scientific and special historical methods (historical and genetic, comparative, historical and chronological, biographical, etc.). Results. Since the 1950s, there has been another resettlement of Spanish emigrants, in particular the so-called “Spanish children”, within the USSR, some of whom were located in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The geography of their settlement was limited to cities (Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, Dniprodzerzhynsk, Marhanets, Nikopol), where there was a possibility of employment and adequate (in the eyes of the Soviet authorities) living conditions. The total number of Spaniards in the region in 1960 was 152. Despite the authorities’ desire to solve all domestic and social problems as much as possible, some Spanish emigrants were dissatisfied with their living and employment conditions, although most tried to adapt to them. This was facilitated by the opportunity to get an education and make a career, which was unlikely for many emigrants at home. The Red Cross provided significant financial assistance to emigrants. A Spanish center was established in Dnipropetrovsk, and a regional committee of the Communist Party of Spain was in place to take care of the community. There was also a community in Kryvyi Rih. Until 1971, the Druzhba International Club operated in Dnipropetrovsk, which was closed after a split among Spanish communists over the Czechoslovakian issue. Conclusions. The Spaniards in the USSR, specifically in the Dnipro region, can be called a diaspora in the sense that they had the opportunity to preserve, albeit with restrictions, their identity at the ethnic and institutional level. The regional authorities, the management of enterprises and institutions where Spaniards worked and studied, did their best to facilitate their integration into the collectives, cultivating the main ideologies of the USSR regarding their role in the events of the Spanish Civil War. When the Socialists came to power in Spain in 1982, most Spaniards began to leave for their homeland, and the small Spanish community in Dnipropetrovsk and the region gradually “dissolved” among the population, losing its institutional basis.The prospects of the study are to write a synthesis of the history of Spanish political emigration to Ukraine, which will significantly enrich the understanding of the content and essence of Soviet-Spanish relations and fill the gap in the history of Ukrainian-Spanish relations in modern times.
TRANSFORMATION PROCESSES IN THE SPHERE OF CULTURE AND ARTS CAUSED BY THE REVOLUTION OF DIGNITY IN UKRAINE
The purpose of the article is to highlight the transformational processes in the sphere of culture and art caused by the Revolution of Dignity and to highlight the need to realize the scale of these transformations during the revolution and their significance for Ukrainian society. The research methodology is based on the application of general scientific and special methods of cognition, in particular, a systemic approach, analysis, synthesis, logical method, and method of visualization of research results. The results of the work consist in determining the nature of the transformational processes in the sphere of culture and art caused by the Revolution of Dignity and in generalizing the views of scientists regarding their role in the revolutionary processes and their significance for Ukrainian society.The genetic connection of the events of the Revolution of Dignity with the direction of further socio-cultural development of Ukraine, awareness of the future in which the next generation will have to live, which is an urgent task of further scientific research, has been established and clarified. Conclusions. The identification and highlighting of specific cultural and artistic manifestations brought by the Revolution of Dignity, namely: in journalism and literature, poetry, Ukrainian song, music, in all forms and genres of fine art, poster graphics, photography, art installation, performance, cinema, museum art, etc. showed that they had a significant impact on the course of the revolution and on post-revolutionary changes in Ukrainian society, and activated the development of all spheres of culture and art.After the victory of the revolution, in the post-Maidan period, these transformations provided prospects for the further development of culture and art. Despite the wide range of reflection in historiographic sources of the course and problems of the Revolution of Dignity, in our opinion, the transformational processes in the sphere of culture brought by the revolution, given their significance and scale, require comprehensive understanding, research, and preservation in historical memory.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE CONTENT OF THE 10TH-GRADE CIVIC EDUCATION COURSE: NEW ASPECTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR
The main purpose of the article is to analyze the transformation of the school subject “Civic Education” that fosters students’ democratic identity in the context of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The study aims to define new content priorities that should be integrated into the updated curriculum in response to martial law, psychological challenges, and information threats.The research methodology is based on critical analysis of current curricula, regulatory frameworks, expert assessments, and comparative examination of European models of civic education, particularly the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.The results substantiate the need to include in the school course several new topics: international humanitarian law, protection of internally displaced persons, the role of human rights institutions, foundations of psychological self-regulation, media literacy and digital security, as well as youth participation in volunteer and civic initiatives. The article highlights the importance of shaping students’ awareness of Ukraine’s European development trajectory. The conclusion emphasizes that the content update should be grounded in the principles of resilience, legal awareness, civic engagement, and critical thinking. Reform efforts should also involve modern pedagogical methods–project-based learning, interdisciplinary integration, cooperation with civil society organizations, and the use of real-life case studies. Such modernization will ensure the development of civic competences essential for adapting to wartime conditions, post-war recovery, and democratic nation- building.
NEW MONOGRAPH BY BOHDAN KINDRATYUK ON THE MUSICAL ART OF THE HALYC-VOLYN PRINCIPALITY
ON THE WAY TO YOURSELF. REVIEW OF THE BOOK OF TURCHENKO F. G. FROM THE CHALLENGES OF THE ERA. MEMOIRS OF A HISTORIAN. ZAPORIZHZHYA: PUBLISHING HOUSE "HELVETICA", 2023. 400 P.
CONCERNING THE DECLARATION OF FAMINE IN ODESA COUNTY IN JANUARY 1922.
The aim of the study is to analyze, based primarily on a periodical publication, the preconditions and consequences of the declaration of the Odesa County as famine-stricken in January 1922. Based on general scientific methods, such as analysis and synthesis, as well as the historical method, the main directions of activity of the local Odesa authorities are determined – specifically, the Odesa County Commission for Assistance to the Starving, who suffered from crop failure – regarding the organization of aid to the starving population of the Volga region. It is revealed that the declaration of the Odesa County as famine-stricken did not lead to the provision of actual food aid to that part of the region's population that needed it. Research results: the activity of the county commission is analyzed, which primarily consisted in preparing and sending food trains to the Volga region. Such a train was sent even when, on January 14, 1922, the county had already been declared famine-stricken. In total, by February 1, 1922, 58 wagons of grain were sent from the Odesa County to the Volga region. This was despite the fact that cases of starvation deaths had already begun to be recorded in November 1921, and such cases increased in the following months. For instance, in January 1922, 70,000 people were starving in Odesa County. Conclusions: When the drought created a real threat of famine, the local authorities in Odesa tried to take measures to mitigate the effects of the drought and prevent famine, but the efforts did not go beyond good intentions. Later, the authorities, following the instructions of the Bolshevik government of Russia, began to organize aid for the starving in the Volga region. This goal defined the activities of the Odesa County Commission for Assistance to the Starving, who suffered from crop failure. Under the commission’s leadership, 58 wagons of grain were sent to the Volga region. These wagons were sent even when cases of starvation deaths had already been recorded and certain counties of the county were recognized as famine-stricken. The fact of declaring counties or the county as famine-stricken did not mean the immediate and actual provision of aid to the starving due to the lack of sufficient resources. Nevertheless, some aid began to be provided –for instance, free meals started to be distributed. Another form of assistance for Odesa residents was the distribution of food by the charitable committee "Joint", which supplied food shipments from the United States.
SOURCES ON THE HISTORY OF LAND POLICY OF THE KHERSON LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN 1912–1916
This article presents an archaeographic publication of archival documents that outline the land policy of the Kherson local self-government in the early 20th century. The aim of the study is to introduce into scholarly circulation a set of documents reflecting the administrative decisions of the Kherson City Duma and the municipal board regarding the management and use of urban land. The methodological foundation of the research is an archaeographic approach, which involves the scholarly processing, systematization, and annotation of archival materials. The main content consists of documents from Fund 4 of the State Archive of the Kherson Region, illustrating mechanisms of land-use regulation, approaches to land leasing, sales, and inventory within the city limits. The publication includes official correspondence, minutes of meetings, land contracts, and decisions of the Duma and the board, which reveal key aspects of land policy, including the procedures for leasing urban land, land inventory and audits, regulation of relations with tenants, determination of rental rates, prevention of unauthorized land use, and initiatives aimed at modernizing municipal land ownership. Particular attention is given to documents related to changes in land policy during World War I, especially concerning resource mobilization and their use by the military. The publication is supplemented with scholarly apparatus that includes commentary, explanations of terms and institutions, and references to the storage locations and catalog details of the documents. The conclusion highlights the importance of these materials for understanding the practical activities of local self-government bodies in the field of land policy during the prewar and wartime periods of the early 20th century. The documents presented here can serve as a foundation for further research into the socio-economic history of southern Ukraine, particularly clarifying the features of municipal governance in the city of Kherson.