Ukrainian identity in time and space: historical memory, interpretation of the past and contemporary challenges of war

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze the features of the formation of Ukrainian national identity across space and time, considering the aspect of preserving the historical memory of the people and the challenges of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. The methodology is based on comparative-historical and general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, along with the principles of historicism, scientific rigor, and interdisciplinarity. The scientific novelty lies in the attempt to comprehensively interpret the problem of forming Ukrainian national identity across space and time, employing a comparative interdisciplinary approach to analyzing the preservation of historical memory and interpreting the past. Conclusions. The historical memory of Ukrainian forced migrants in past centuries contributed to their preservation of ethnocultural identity while living outside Ukrainian ethnic territories. Historical memory enabled active pro-Ukrainian activities abroad, in both European and overseas regions, across several generations. Their memory and interpretation of the past differed from those of Ukrainians living in the Soviet Union.

If contemporary intellectuals recognize that the function of historical memory is to shape national identity, it is essential to consider this issue in a global context, especially given the significant scale of migration from Ukraine. Today, it is crucial for the memory of Ukrainians, whether they have emigrated permanently, temporarily, or remained in Ukraine, to align within a unified system of values—centered on the memory of heroes who defended and continue to defend Ukraine from the enemy. From a temporal perspective, this could facilitate the formation and preservation of national identity not only within the state of Ukraine but also across broader spatial dimensions, encompassing various countries where Ukrainians reside.