Multiplicity of historical memory models in Ukrainian society

Abstract

Regarding the Soviet past, idea of the dichotomous nature of Ukrainian historical memory is widespread both in society and in academia. According to it, two models of memory are widespread in Ukrainian society — the Ukrainian national memory and the Soviet one as the opposed to it. The article shows that this view is simplified. The Ukrainian national and Soviet models of memory are not a dichotomy but a continuum. Based on the analysis of sociological surveys, a number of versions have been identified within each of the memory models. In particular, within the Ukrainian national model there are such versions as: “resistance”, “realitistic”, “post-Soviet”. The difference between them lies in the attitude towards the Soviet past. In the “resistance” version the Soviet past is completely rejected, in the “realitistic” version it is perceived as an integral part of the Ukrainian past, and in the “post-Soviet” version there is a mechanistic combination of Soviet and Ukrainian national narratives, with an emphasis on the Ukrainian component. Within the Soviet model there are such versions as: “Ukrainian”, “fraternal peoples”, and “reunification”. The criterion for distinguishing them is the attitude to the Ukrainian historical narrative. In the case of the “Ukrainian” version, there is a combination of Soviet and Ukrainian narratives, but with an emphasis on the Soviet component. In the “fraternal peoples’” version the Ukrainian identity is seen as equal to the Russian one and as the ”reunification”. And in the “reunification” version Ukrainian identity is seen as a part of supranational identity. Also four types of historical memory are distinguished by the criterion of combining models within individual consciousness. Two of them are “pure” — Ukrainian national and Soviet-imperial, and two are “mixed” — ambivalent, where two models are combined, and indefinite, where none of the memory models is important to individuals. The article also analyzes the regional prevalence of both memory models and types.