Abstract
After the occupation of Crimea and Russian aggression in the Donbas, Ukraine left the Russian political orbit and inserted amendments to the Constitution regarding the strategic course of the state for acquiring membership in the EU and NATO. Consequently, the concept of “three brotherly nations,” which symbolized connection of Ukraine with Russia and Belarus, was irrevocably replaced by the new idea of “the return to the European family,” which was repeatedly postulated at the state level. As part of this course, Ukrainian politics of history needed bright historical figures who could serve as a symbol of the ancient connection between Ukraine and Europe. According to historian Heorhiy Kasyanov, in Ukraine “nationalization” of the past took place, up to the times of Kyivan Rus. Since in Ukraine Kyivan Rus is perceived as an early predecessor of modern Ukraine, it seems to be clear why the personality of Anne of Kyiv, daughter of Yaroslav the Wise and wife of French King Henry I, was designed to legitimize the European integration course of Ukraine. Her personality was intended to show how old the ties which have allegedly united Ukraine and Europe. This article explores commemorative practices around Anne of Kyiv’s personality during the last five years. These practices show how the past can serve to the interests of the present and how easily political instrumentalization of the history happens. Each element of the commemorative practices states essentially the same idea: Ukrainians are not just eager to become a part of Europe, they were a part of Europe some time ago, so now they are just returning to their “European family.” Such commemorative practices include charity events, production of “Anne de Kyiv” film, “Anne de Kyiv Fest”, creation of the monuments, etc. Legitimizing resource of Anne of Kyiv’s personality is so strong and valuable that Ukraine has to fight for it with the Russian Federation: Vladimir Putin has recently made an attempt to tell the world about “Russian Anne.” Probably in the future commemorative practices connected with Anne of Kyiv will be developed and elaborated.Article received 08.03.2019
Highlights
Ключові слова: Анна Київська, Анна Ярославна, Київська Русь, історична політика, комеморативні практики, «братні народи», Російська Федерація, євроінтеграційний курс України, «повернення в європейську родину»
“Rada zakripyla v Konstytutsii kurs Ukrainy v NATO ta YeS: shcho tse oznachaie.”
Each element of the commemorative practices states essentially the same idea: Ukrainians are not just eager to become a part of Europe, they were a part of Europe some time ago, so they are just returning to their “European family.”
Summary
ВІД «ТРЬОХ БРАТНІХ НАРОДІВ» ДО «ПОВЕРНЕННЯ В ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКУ РОДИНУ»: ПОСТАТЬ АННИ ЯРОСЛАВНИ В ІСТОРИЧНІЙ ПОЛІТИЦІ УКРАЇНИ. У статті досліджено комеморативні практики навколо постаті Анни Київської, що сформувалися після 2014 р., а також те, яким чином вони легітимізують та підсилюють євроінтеграційний курс України. Під час свого звернення з нагоди ратифікації сенатом Нідерландів Угоди про асоціацію Україна-ЄС він наголосив на тому, що Україна наразі возз’єднується з «європейською родиною», адже була її частиною ще з часів Ярослава Мудрого та Анни Ярославни: «Кремль, уражений хронічною українофобією, капостив нам на кожному кроці. Розглянуті в цій статті комеморативні практики, а також епізод «воєн пам’яті» між Україною та Росією були покликані продемонструвати те, як постать Анни Київської як королеви Франції легітимізує в українському суспільстві ідею про «повернення в європейську родину», що витіснила концепцію «трьох братніх народів».
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