SOCIO-CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL POLICY OF UKRAINE: EXPERIENCE OF FORMATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Nataliia Zlenko

doi:10.30525/2661-5150/2020-4-8

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the analysis of the state cultural policy in the context of development of socio-cultural space. Scientific research is based on understanding of the basic values, the place and role of culture in the modern world, its true significance for the state, which claims the title of civilized, and therefore understanding of culture as a priority of the state policy. Therefore, the aim of the paper is the generalization of the Ukrainian experience of state cultural policy and identification of the significant achievements in this area. Methodology. The methodology of science of interdisciplinary level is applied in the research. The integration of interdisciplinary knowledge and the unification of disparate characteristics into the system allowed to obtain the new scientific knowledge in part of cultural policy characteristics on different sides and of view of the Ukrainian cultural policy in its entirety. The paper analyzes the main milestones of the Ukrainian cultural policy formation from independence to the present. The main achievements and imperfection of the state cultural policy in the political, cultural, institutional and financial aspects are summarized. Results. It is concluded that despite the failure of systemic cultural reforms in the past, a number of important changes have taken place in the cultural policy of Ukraine. The state cultural policy acquires signs of integrity and system. An organic entry into the context of the European system of values with the preservation and development of the own cultural heritage takes place. Value / originality. Analysis and systematization of the reformist projects and institutional decisions of the cultural policy of Ukraine in 1990-2020 can be used as the theoretical addition to research of the field of state cultural policy of Ukraine. Practical implications. From our point of view, the practical implications of the cultural policy research will help to get closer to understanding the reasons of the many reforms failures, to find the new effective practical solutions and to develop optimal approaches for the future state cultural policy of Ukraine.

Highlights

The paper is devoted to the analysis of the state cultural policy in the context of development of sociocultural space
The state cultural policy is defined as a set of principles and norms that are guided by the state for the preservation, development and dissemination of the culture
The purpose of scientific research is to generalize the Ukrainian experience of cultural policy and identify significant achievements in this sphere, which, from our point of view, will be addition for the theoretical basis in this area and will help to understand the causes of many reforms failures and will contribute to optimal approaches to future state cultural policy

Summary

Introduction

“The authority of a strong state is determined by its military and political influence on the world arena, and by the possessed cultural potential” (Zhyvohliadova, 2019). At the time of gaining state independence, the Ukrainian culture was, postcolonial in nature: “the cultural space was still dominated by the public spheres of the former metropolis with their nonUkrainian content and identities, and many citizens of the newly formed state had a nominal Ukrainian identity, preserving Soviet or Russian identity” (Hrytsenko, 2019) Such situation was considered by the political and cultural elite as a serious problem that had to be solved by means of state policy. Botanova accurately noted in her paper “Not crossing this line was a matter of honor and the players on both sides despised and did not notice each other” (Botanova, 2019) In addition to these positive decisions, the authorities were “systematically” solving the language problems in Ukraine by adopting the law “On the Principles of State Language Policy”, which strengthened the position of the Russian language in Ukraine’s cultural space. Despite the mostly declarative and internally contradictory nature and weak connection with the real situation of the cultural sphere in Ukraine, it cannot be denied that some of the priorities identified in this document have brought real changes in the cultural space of Ukraine

The main achievements of the cultural policy formation at the present stage

Findings

Conclusions