1 Historians and Researchers
As historians and researchers continue to peel back the layers of Ukrainian history, it has become increasingly apparent that the country’s narrative has long been entangled with that of Russia. Amidst efforts to establish a clear and distinct history for Ukraine, it has become critical to delve deeper into the multiple voices and perspectives that have been traditionally overlooked.
While traditional research methods such as archival research, interviews, and literature reviews are vital tools for any historian, I used additional, alternative methods that helped me gain a deeper understanding of this unique community’s past. Often, the traditional ways of researching history might keep the complete picture private. There might be unexplored aspects of history that needed to be documented or were deliberately suppressed. As such, I intended to learn about approaches or tools that could supplement my existing research. So, it begins…
During the initial stages of my research, I followed the conventional approach of using traditional methodology to search for relevant literature and scholarly publications. As I sifted through the available sources, I identified several noteworthy articles that provided insightful perspectives on various aspects of Ukraine. Although these sources were uniquely different from one another, they all contributed to a rich and multifaceted understanding of the country and its prevailing circumstances.
The first source caught my attention – Elena Liber’s 2021 thesis, “And that is how it was: small stories of long histories in post-Soviet Ukraine” was awarded by Goldsmiths, University of London. The thesis focuses on revealing the hidden histories of post-Soviet Ukraine through the lens of its people, whom the Soviet Union’s collapse has significantly impacted. Liber sheds light on how historical events, such as the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine’s independence, and the ongoing conflict with Russia, have affected the lives and experiences of everyday Ukrainians. In her research, she collects personal narratives from individuals to construct a comprehensive understanding of the country’s complex history. With a detail-oriented approach, Liber recognizes the significance of even the most minor stories in painting the broader picture of a nation’s past. The thesis significantly contributes to the growing field of Eastern European history and emphasizes the importance of amplifying local and personal narratives in understanding global historical events.
The second source I picked was a study conducted by Andrii Furdyshko that sheds light on the educational potential of musical folklore in teaching the history of Ukraine to middle school students. Ukrainian musical folklore, which has a rich tradition and serves as an expression of the nation’s cultural identity, is a valuable tool in history education.
My next step was to engage with community members. In this case, I was talking with historians and researchers. By doing so, I could gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences that have shaped Ukrainian history and can broaden my understanding of the sources and methods that inform historical research.
I reached out to Dr. Victoria Smolkin, a historian at Wesleyan University who studies Communism, the Cold War, and atheism and religion in the former Soviet Union. She is also the author of the 2018 book, A Sacred Space Is Never Empty: A History of Soviet Atheism. I have her book, and I highly recommend it to anyone. She was kind enough to find time despite being in the busiest time of the semester and kindly offered me some insights.
During our deep and stimulating conversation, Dr. Victoria Smolkin generously shared her remarkable journey in researching and writing her celebrated book. She revealed that to obtain comprehensive and authentic information about the historical event she was studying, she employed a conventional approach that entailed diligently scrutinizing no fewer than 14 archives. She delved deep into each repository, perusing countless records with razor-sharp focus and a discerning eye, collating many names, facts, and details that breathed life into the story.
However, Dr. Smolkin’s book is more than just a dry catalog of events and statistics. What sets it apart is the deep, human perspective it presents. Rather than simply chronicling the significant players and headline events, Dr. Smolkin focused on the experiences of the everyday people who lived through the historical events she studied. She tracked down individuals who were eyewitnesses or had first-hand knowledge of the unfolding events and sat down with them for in-depth interviews.
Her work is a testament to her passionate belief in the power of individual human experiences. Her unwavering commitment to shedding a bright light on the details of the past not only adds to our collective knowledge, but also serves as a poignant reminder of the often untold and underserved contributions of ordinary people to the tapestry of history.
Dr. Victoria has mentioned that acquiring information from primary sources can often be challenging and necessitates exploring alternative options. In the field she specializes in, visiting Russia or Ukraine would be the most effective means of collecting information, but this is nearly impossible due to present circumstances. As a result, she advises that one investigates a range of archives that could serve as alternative data sources. For instance, she recommends turning to the Library of Congress or Harvard University, which boasts an exceptional collection of archival material. Numerous other prestigious universities, such as Stanford, also have substantial archives that may be helpful in one’s quest for information. In sum, Dr. Victoria emphasizes the importance of persistence and urges researchers not to give up when faced with obstacles in obtaining primary source material.
During our conversation, she brought up the topic of methodological research, which has become a widely discussed subject in recent times. She informed me that several conventions had been organized to delve into this matter, emphasizing the significance of finding a middle ground and avoiding extreme approaches, including imperialism and nationalism.
Apart from consulting with Dr. Smolkin, an expert in the field, I contacted my grandmother to gain her insight. She has a wealth of knowledge regarding historical events, particularly World War II, and has shared countless stories throughout my life. She has often remarked that during that tumultuous time, people were not concerned with who was making history, but instead their primary focus was on survival. Her story:
“VL’s life began amid one of the most tumultuous times. Born in 1941, she entered a world plagued by World War II. Her family, like many others, faced the harsh reality of living in a war-torn country, but even that did not prepare them for the tragedy that would befall them. Her parents fell victim to the war, leaving V and her siblings to fend for themselves. Their survival was not guaranteed. The harsh realities of war took a toll on them, and they struggled to find food and shelter. The youngest of V’s siblings ultimately succumbed to hunger, leaving the remaining children to mourn his loss.”
Continuing into my research, the next step was to look through the prism of folklore and traditional stories. Folklore in Ukraine serves as a valuable source of historical information. It presents unique insights into the people, their traditions, customs, beliefs, and rituals. Folklore is a treasury of stories, legends, songs, and dances, that recounts the history of Ukraine often apart from the official narrative. This makes folklore an indispensable tool for understanding the essence of Ukraine’s cultural and historical identity.
One example of how folklore can present the history of Ukraine is the well-known folk tale of Prince Igor and his campaign against the Polovtsians. The story tells the legend of the brave prince who led the military campaign against the nomadic Turkic Polovtsians, who had been raiding Ukrainian lands for centuries. According to the legend, Igor sought to avenge his brother’s death and liberate his people from the Polovtsians’ tyranny. Despite initial successes, he eventually fell captive to the enemy and had to use his wits and cunning to escape.
While the historical accuracy of the tale is debatable, it presents a vivid picture of medieval times in Ukraine and highlights the struggle for independence and freedom. The tale also sheds light on the nature of Ukrainian society and the values and principles which shaped it. The story of Prince Igor and the Polovtsians has been retold and interpreted in different forms including operas, plays, and films. It has become an inseparable part of Ukraine’s cultural legacy.
As I contemplated this task, I realized that many vast avenues in pursuing knowledge are yet to be explored. Multitudinous sources of information are waiting to be deciphered, and novel methods of research are being developed continuously. It was fascinating to explore these research areas and expand my horizons beyond the limitations of the textbook.
Sources:
Liber, E. (2021). “And That’s How It Was”: Small Stories of Big Histories in Post-Soviet Ukraine. Doctoral dissertation, Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Furdyshko, A. (2021). Educational Potential of Musical Folklore in the Process of Teaching the History of Ukraine in the Middle Classes of Secondary School. Актуальні питання суспільних наук та історії медицини, 2(30), 113-116.
Smolkin, V. (2018). A Sacred Space Is Never Empty: A History of Soviet Atheism. Princeton University Press; Illustrated edition.
VL – beloved grandmother story
