Preservation of Ethno-National Identity of Ukrainians in Bulgaria: Historical and Current Contexts

Author

Іakimova Antonina

philologist, a lecturer of French and English, translator, executive director of the Society of Ukrainian Organizations of Bulgaria (Sofia, Bulgaria)

Preservation of Ethno-National Identity of Ukrainians in Bulgaria: Historical and Current Contexts

Abstract

The article is amed at the analysis of the problem of ethno-national identity of  Ukrainians in Bulgaria preservation in historical and current contexts. In historical context the identity of Ukrainians in Bulgaria is represented by various documentary monuments that are stored in Bulgarian archives, libraries, museums and monasteries.

The authoress draws attention to the fact that after Zaporizka Sich destruction by Catherine II in 1775, Ukrainian Cossacks have settled in Dobrudja (1775–1828), organizing the so-called Zadunai Sich, while maintaining their everyday life and customs. In particular, in the 1820s a large group of Cossacks has settled in the seaside village of Byala (at present the city of  Byala, Varna province, Bulgaria), whose descendants live here until the beginning of the XX century.

At the same time, well-known Ukrainian scientists Yu. Venelin, V. Hryhorovych, M. Drahomanov have made a significant contribution to the development of Bulgarian science in the ХIХ century.

Particular attention is paid to the beginning of the XX century, when the first Ukrainian public organizations are formed in Bulgaria. Ukrainian-Bulgarian Cultural Society, initiated by the Bulgarian scientist I. Shishmanov at the beginning of 1918, is the first such well-known organization. In 1921 the first Ukrainian emigrant organization Ukrainian Community, headed by V. Fylonovych, is formed. On October 14, 1933, Ukrainian emigrants have rallied into the Society of Ukrainian Organizations of Bulgaria.

After World War II the work of Ukrainian organizations in Bulgaria, as well as other national minorities, is banned. At the same time as the democratic changes in Bulgaria in 1989, the opportunity to unite national minorities in public organizations emerges. In the 1990s in Bulgaria the process of formation of the modern Ukrainian diaspora has been started. On March 1, 2013, the Ukrainians have rallied into the Society of Ukrainian Organizations of Bulgaria. Traditionally Ukrainians organize events aimed at the attention drawing to their identity: the days of Ukrainian culture (Burgas), the holiday of Ukrainian Christmas (Plovdiv), the conference Drahomanov Studies (Sofia), participate actively in the celebration of Vyshyvanka Day, flowers laying upon the monuments of famous Ukrainians, commemoration of Ukrainian national holidays and dates. Annually a requiem to commemorate the victims of Holodomor of 1932–1933 at St. Nedelya Church in Sofia is held.

The Russian-Ukrainian War, which has started on February 20, 2014 with the Russia invasion into the territory of Ukraine, prompts the Ukrainians of Bulgaria to take part in various protest actions – protests before the Russian Federation Embassy, protest actions in order to attract attention  of the Bulgarian public to the topical problem of their homeland. Attributes of Ukrainian state symbols are always present in such actions.

Keywords

ethno-national identity of Ukrainians, Bulgaria, historical and current contexts, Ukrainian emigrants, Ukrainian Diaspora.

References

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