The Ukrainian Problems in Paris' Kultura, 1989-2000 Cover Image

Problematyka ukraińska w paryskiej "Kulturze" w latach 1989-2000
The Ukrainian Problems in Paris' Kultura, 1989-2000

Author(s): Bogumił Grott
Subject(s): History
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Poland: Ukraine; Kultura; Jerzy Giedroyc

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the coverage of Polish-Ukrainian relations in the Polish language periodical Kultura (Culture), edited by Jerzy Giedroyc and his associates, and published in Paris. The opinions expressed in Kultura are important because of the periodical's great impact on the political opinions of Poles after 1989 when, as an effect of the fall of Communism, Kultura became readily available in Poland. The author points out that Jerzy Giedroyc, the editor, can be seen as an adherent of a rapprochement between Poland and Ukraine and accepts as fully justified the view of sociologist Zbigniew Kurcz of Wroclaw that an “eastern myth of Jerzy Giedroyc” has evolved. This myth brings with it a tendency to keep silent about the genocide of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II, and is harmful for Poles who still live in the former eastern Kresy. The article points to bias and prejudice of many texts published in Kultura, selectivity in the choice of its contributors, and one-sidedness of interpretations in terms of the Russian threat, which leads to a deformed image of the situation at the turn of the 21st century, as well as chronic blindness to the potential dangers that could arise should Ukraine be overcome by a nationalist ideology based on the ideologies of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and their main ideologue, Dmytro Doncov.

  • Issue Year: 2007
  • Issue No: 30
  • Page Range: 57-73
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Polish