“Орієнт чи Окцидент”: проблема вибору України у трактуванні Ольґерда Бочковського

Abstract

In the numerous writings of the scientist Olgerd Bochkovsky (1885–1939) the theme of the enslaved nations. Exploring the so-called unhistorical nations he highlighted three phases in the process of their national renaissance: the revival of culture (the return to the native language and its development), economic emancipation, and politicization of the movement toward autonomy or independence. He denied the idea of unity between the Ukrainian and Russian peoples (pan–Russian nation or triune Russian nation), considering that the Ukrainian people have every reason to create an independent state. He identified the difficulties that existed for its realization: the geographical location of Ukraine, which was the boundary between Europe and Asia, the split of Ukraine and the opposite historical and political development of the Dnieper Ukraine and Western Ukraine and the lack of unity among Ukrainian politics. The scientist gave positive predictions about the future of Ukraine only on the condition of the formation of a modern Ukrainian nation. Independent and democratic Ukraine, which was supposed to become the center of the crystallization of Eastern Europe, according to O. Bochkovsky, is a condition for world peace and security of peoples.