IDEAS OF UKRAINIAN STATEHOOD IN THE HISTORICAL WORKS OF TARAS SHEVCHENKO

Abstract

Background. The article is devoted to the analysis of the idea of Ukrainian statehood in the historical works of Taras Shevchenko. The relevance of the writer's poetry for the formation of the national worldview and national identity of the Ukrainian people is determined. The idea of statehood is represented as a concept, which is based on historical traditions and the struggle for freedom and independence. The attention is focused on T. Shevchenko's formation of the idea of the state tradition, its evolution in different cultural and historical eras.

Methods. The article uses such aspects of the general scientific research method as synthesis and generalization. Philological and historical-literary research methods are also used.

Results. Taras Shevchenko's view of the heroic past of the Ukrainian people and its modernity is reflected in the works "Night of Taras", "To Osnovyanenko" and "Ivan Pidkova". Special attention is paid to the poem "Haydamaki", which highlights the events of Koliivshchyna, which is a symbol of the struggle for national will and social justice. The article also examines the issue of religious tension between Orthodox and Unitarian churches, which was the basis of numerous social conflicts. Under the conditions of the absence of their own statehood, the idea of the religious unity of the people became especially important.

The work emphasizes the importance of the ideas of struggle and self-determination for the formation of the national identity and worldview of the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian and Polish historiography on the events of the Koliivshchyna are compared, and the significance of the Haydamak movement for Ukrainian national self-awareness is emphasized. In Polish historical science, the haidamachyna is a negative phenomenon, but in Ukrainian folklore, haidamaki is a symbol of the protection of their people, an image of the struggle for the will of Ukrainians. 

Conclusions. In Taras Shevchenko's work, the idea of Ukrainian statehood is dynamic and changing. It reflects the author's evolutionary way and life view. This idea was artistically formed by the writer at different stages of his life and work - from serfdom to freedom, from imprisonment - to the return to freedom. The idea of Ukrainian statehood reveals the essence of Kobzar himself and the character of his era.

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References

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Shevchenko, T. (2003). Collection of works: In 12 volumes. Volume 1: Poetry 1837-1838. 784 p [In Ukrainian].

Shevchenko, T. (2003). Collection of works: In 12 volumes. Volume 5: Diary. Autobiography. Articles. Archaeological notes. "Southern Russian Primer". Records of folk art. 1837-1838. 784 p [In Ukrainian].