Символічні чинники державної ідентичності

Abstract

Symbolic aspects of the formation of state identity in independent Ukraine are described in the article. Post-socialist transformations of the late 20th – early 21st century in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been drawing increasing attention to the problems of a new state identity formation. The latter is an effect generated by the collective self-awareness of all ethnocultural communities involved in the political nation creation. In a particular context of Ukraine, the democratic institutions and values are strengthened in public life simultaneously with the overcoming of the heritage of the totalitarian past. The decommunization process has been lasting for more than a decade. Its actual results can be seen in the changed names of many settlements, squares, streets, enterprises, institutions, etc. The Leninfall is a striking indicator of the Soviet worldview matrix negotiation. It is the removal of monuments to V. Lenin and the other characters of the ideological pantheon of the USSR from the civic space. Traditional and professional cultures should be involved in a positive image of the state identity building. The system of new state holidays and rituals is aimed at the people inspiration and unification. Throughout the post-Soviet and post-socialist space the fundamental transformations of recent decades have taken place under the slogans of liberation from the totalitarian past and de-ideologization of all spheres of spiritual and social life. In post-totalitarian Ukraine the Independence Day has largely taken over the former functions of the October Revolution holiday. Neither military threats from Russia nor significant economic difficulties have prevented the bright and solemn celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine Independence. This festival has become a significant indicator of the Ukrainian political nation maturity. The country has chosen the path of formation of a democratic society of the European type. The generally accepted system of holiday traditions forms the backbone of culture and spirituality of each nation. The satisfactory condition of this system influences all spheres of the general state body’s life. The task is to ensure the active importance of festive and ceremonial culture in the processes of Ukrainian independence strengthening, the political nation consolidation and establishment of the civil society with high humanistic values. The state identity of the Ukrainian nation today is at the formation stage. The ethnologists should study this process at the level of collective and individual consciousness.