МИХАЙЛО ГРУШЕВСЬКИЙ ТА ПОЛЬСЬКО-УКРАЇНСЬКИЙ КОНФЛІКТ У ЛЬВІВСЬКОМУ УНІВЕРСИТЕТІ: СПРОБА РЕКОНСТРУКЦІЇ

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of the formation and growth of the Polish-Ukrainian conflict in Lviv University. Investigation of M. Hrushevsky's interdependence in the process of growing inter-ethnic confrontation during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s has been researched. The reasons of numerous misunderstandings between Ukrainian and Polish scientists, which were primarily based in the desire to deepen – qualitatively and quantitatively – Ukrainian studies at the university, have been found out. The facts of resistance of the Ukrainian youth to the polonizatory actions of the administration of the educational institution have been highlighted as well. It has been proved that the most prominent action was secession in 1901 – 1902, during which more than 500 Ukrainian students left Lviv University and went to study to foreign educational institutions. This youth hoped to attract public attention to the founding of a Ukrainian university in Lviv, demanding decisive behavior in the Ukrainian parliamentary representation. The facts of cooperation of M. Hrushevsky with Polish professors, triggered by the necessity to solve numerous of current problems, for instance: opening of new departments, inviting specialists, appointing of scholarships to students, promotion of students' scholarly degrees, etc. M. Hrushevsky had a business relationship with Polish colleagues, whom he supported in terms of issues discussed on the board of the faculty . He even maintained close contacts with some of his Polish colleagues (e.g. B. Dembinsky). It has been concluded that M. Hrushevsky's relations with Polish scientists should be regarded as typical for intellectual environments of the dominant and conquered nations, when the former want at all costs to preserve the status quo, appealing to the tradition, while the latter in their desire to increase their influence turn to universal values and rights. Hence the practice of confrontation – loud, involving the widest possible audience, mutual accusations – in the destruction of the established order, on the one hand, and the reluctance to comply with the humanitarian requirements of the early twentieth century. – on the other. Along with this, we see quite a solidarity work in the middle of the university department and absolutely collegiate manifestations of behavior in purely life situations. The latter is not surprising, since the conservatism of the scientific community was generally accepted, therefore, a person of science, without distinction of nationality, is compelled to act in the formed field of professorial traditions. All this is intended to actualize the further study of the communicative strategies of Ukrainian and Polish intellectuals in difficult historical periods, which would make it possible to rethink many stereotypes inherited by us from the last century.