Volodymyr Andriyovych Motornyi: stokes to the portrait of the teacher

Abstract

Background: Volodymyr Andriyovych Motornyi (1929–2015) is an outstanding Ukrainian Slavist, literary critic, culturologist, university lecturer, translator, diplomat, public figure. The scientific and pedagogical activity of the professor of the Department of Slavonic Philology at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv is well known in the Slavic world. One of the most prominent representatives of Lviv Slavic studies, an active organiser of science, Professor Volodymyr Motornyi was a famous representative of Bohemistics. Along with Professor Kostiantyn Trofymovych, he launched the Ukrainian scientific school of Sorbian studies, actively studied and popularised the literature and culture of various Slavic nations. One can hardly overestimate his contribution to the development of Ukrainian science being a talented teacher who educated many generations of young Slavists, was a co-organiser of the Lviv International Slavic Colloquia, as well as numerous scientific and cultural events. Despite the existence of articles and reviews dedicated to Volodymyr Motornyi, the figure of the Professor deserves more detailed coverage and promotion of his creative heritage. Purpose: The article aims to introduce readers to a sort of the portrait of Professor Motornyi as a teacher and scholar; and given the scale of the scholar and the breadth of his interests, the authors have chosen the path of presentation of just a few aspects of his work. A special place is given to the combination of objective and subjective presentation of the Professor: the facts of the biography of the scholar are supplemented by the memories of the colleagues and students. Results: The article outlines the basic touches to the portrait of Professor Volodymyr Andriyovych Motornyi, a remarkable Ukrainian scholar, one of the most prominent representatives of Lviv Slavic studies. The key dates of the biography are given, the main directions of scientific, pedagogical, and creative activity of the Slavist are analysed. Memoirs of the colleagues – well-known scholars, former students and followers of the Professor – are an important element of the article. The article is currently the most complete and comprehensive presentation of the figure of the outstanding Ukrainian scholar, educator, organiser of science, intellectual and Teacher. Key words: Volodymyr Andriiovych Motorny, Slavic studies, literary studies, bohemian studies, sorabistics, pedagogical activity.