Public and Cultural Resonance of the Activity of Local Lore Historians of Mykolaiv Region in the Second Half of the 1980s - the First Half of the 1990’s

Abstract

The paper contains an analysis of the components of the local lore movement in the Mykolaiv region of the second half of the 1980s – the first half of the 1990's, based on historiographical researches of the period, scientific and popular publications, which considered the history of Mykolaiv region and available archival materials. The main feature of the development of historical regional studies of that period, the author determines the diversity of ideas and interpretations of historical events.

The purpose of this study is to identify the main directions of activity of historians and local lore researches-amateurs against the background of radical changes in all spheres of society's life, including: the growth of national consciousness, the gaining of independence by Ukraine and, at the same time, the wish to realize itself as part of Europe.

The paper focuses on the main activity directions of historians, archaeologists, ethnographers, local lore researches-amateurs and journalists of Mykolaiv region of 1986-1997, related to the study of ancient history of the Northern Black Sea Coast, the history of Cossack settlements, filling of «blank spots» both in the history of city founding, and in the history of totalitarian regime crimes, with a description of new documentary evidences of the Second World War events.

The author examines the activity of certain non-governmental organizations connected with historical regional studies, public museums, and emphasizes that in the early 1990’s historical science turned to the problem of the revival of spirituality of Ukrainian people, national consciousness, and it is naturally follows, that the processes that took place in the south Ukraine were considered to be its component. Just with those tendencies the author relates the initiation of holding the scientific conferences and readings on regional studies in the period under study. Particular attention is paid to the history of school regional studies as an important factor in the upbringing of young people.

According to the author, the activation of the regional lore movement has increased the interest in regional history in society, for which the poets and artists of Mykolaiv region re-think the theme of «small motherland» as a special place, which is «at the intersection of times».

The author of the paper emphasizes that due to the historical discoveries of the second half of the 1980s – the first half of the 1990s in Mykolaiv region, new themes and even techniques in art appeared, and the mentality of society changed.