Bohdan Dorotskyi – the Student Movement Activist and a Patron of Ukrainian Culture

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to clarify and systematize the facts of the life of a graduate of Lviv Polytechnic, activist of the Ukrainian student movement, public figure Bohdan-Volodymyr Dorotsky (1909 – 1945). The research methodology is based on the principles of objectivity, historicism, using general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis and generalization, as well as comparative and biographical methods. The scientific novelty of the article is to make  an attempt to study the biography of a graduate of Lviv Polytechnic, an active member of the Ukrainian student movement, public figure Bohdan Dorotsky against the tragic events of 30 – 40 years of the twentieth century on the basis of a critical analysis of sources and published materials. Materials from manuscript sources and periodicals revealing little-known facts from the life and work of Bohdan Dorotskiy have been introduced into the scientific circulation. Conclusions. Bohdan-Volodymyr Dorotskyi is a representative of the generation of Ukrainian figures who, in the absence of Ukrainian statehood in the 1930s and 1940s, focused their work on the development of the Ukrainian student movement and the support of culture. Both patriotic traditions of the family and studies in Ukrainian gymnasiums, participation in the Ukrainian scout movement, as well as persecution of the family by the Polish authorities had a significant influence on this area of his interests. While studying at Lviv Polytechnic, he actively worked in the governing bodies of student organizations: the student society "Osnova", the Union of Ukrainian student organizations in Poland, the Society of friends  of education, the cooperative "Student Usurer". A special mission of Bohdan Dorotsky was his participation in the publication of the official magazine UUSOP - "Student Way", as well as books of young poets. Bohdan Dorotsky's active work attracted the attention of Polish, Soviet and German security agencies. He was arrested several times by the Polish authorities. Tragically died in 1945 having been killed by members of the Polish nationalist organization.