The “Prosvita” centres of the Okhtyrka county in 1917-1922

Abstract

The article traces the genesis and specific features of the “Prosvita” fellowship centres’ activity on the territory of the Okhtyrka county (Kharkiv province) during the period of the Ukrainian revolution (1917-1921) and the first years of Soviet authority. Such forms of the fellowship’s activity as establishing the primary education, holding theatrical performances, organizing educational libraries functioning are covered within the article. The national nature of the fellowship’s activity is emphasized. The fact, that the “Prosvita” centres of the Okhtyrka county started their activity right after establishing the Ukrainian Central Rada in Kyiv, is stated. During the UNR period “Prosvita” centres of the Okhtyrka county supported the revolutionary parliament of Ukraine and its policy. Actually, they played the role of the Central Rada’s centres in the region. As for the relationship between the “Prosvita” centres and Bolshevik authority, the following statement is highlighted. During the first half of 1919 the Bolsheviks impeded the development of the “Prosvita” centres and considered the latest to be counterrevolutionary organizations. After Denikin Volunteer Army had occupied the region the repressions against the members of the fellowship intensified. Since the middle of 1920 Bolshevik authorities had been implementing the policy of state controlling the “Prosvita” centres. Due to the county department of public education and Bolshevik political education activities 35 centres of this organization existed on the territory of the Okhtyrka county in 1921. Meanwhile Bolshevik authorities tried to struggle with and close those “Prosvita” centres, which featured the spirit of “Ukrainian chauvinism” and “petliurivshchina”. In 1922 the remains of “Prosvita” centres finally disappeared on the territory of the county, turning into reading houses or village buildings. In the article the author comes to a conclusion that during its short six-year history (1917-1922) the “Prosvita” centres of the Okhtyrka county provided the cultural ascension, which accompanied national-liberation struggle of the Ukrainian people. The “Prosvita” movement laid the main organizational foundation for involving the masses into active participating in those processes.