Образ Українського Козацтва в Брошурі Пантелеймона Куліша «Крашанка Русинам і Полякам на Великдень 1882 Року»

Abstract

In 1882, one of the most famous figures of the Ukrainian nation’s nineteenth-century revival, Panteleimon Kulish, published a work entitled ‘A Painted Egg for the Ruthenians and the Poles at Easter 1882’. In his work, he called on Poles and Ukrainians to establish dialogue and reconciliation, a prerequisite for which should be a critical rethinking of the well-established historical views of both peoples. To this end, Kulish devoted considerable space to the Cossacks and haidamakas. This article analyses the image of the Cossacks on painted Easter eggs. It also examines the evolution of Kulish’s historical views and the circumstances under which they took place, traces how they were manifested in his scientific works and considers the circumstances of the publication of his work. His strong criticism of the Cossacks and haidamakas corresponded to his views on Ukraine’s history at that time, although the decision to express it publicly was made for political reasons, to reconcile the Ukrainians with the Poles. To convince readers of his views, Kulish critically reinterpreted sources from the Cossack era and criticised both the Cossacks generally and specific historical figures, as well as some events of the early modern era. Kulish’s position was criticised by other representatives of the Ukrainian national movement. The reaction of the Polish political elite and intellectuals also failed to meet his expectations. As a result, disappointed by the ineffectiveness of his political manifesto, the Ukrainian intellectual gave up his efforts to strengthen Polish-Ukrainian dialogue.