Danilova, Maria. "Conflict with Russia Galvanizes Ukraine's Identity." Yahoo! News. Yahoo!, 29 Apr. 0000. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.
When Russia seized control of Crimea, Yevgeny Komarovsky sent this blunt message to the Russian people: We Ukrainians are a nation of our own. The appeal for an independent and united Ukraine by the Russian-speaking Komarovsky underscored Ukraine's distinct national identity, and belied Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that Ukraine is part of the Russian family. In fact, Russia's invasion (which Putin justifies by saying he needs to protect Russian speakers) has fueled a surge of patriotism among a great many Ukrainians, whatever their language.These feelings of unity are underpinned by a sense of fragility stemming from being a country that has for centuries been dominated by great empires to the east and west. And from folklore to ancestral traditions, Ukraine has shown itself to possess a distinct identity. The Ukrainian national consciousness is steeped in love of one's land and the quest for survival. The challenge simply to stay whole is as acute as ever today after Russia annexed Ukraine's strategic Crimean Peninsula, stoking fears that the Kremlin is planning to invade more Russian-speaking eastern territories. Ukraine, a land the size of France with a population of 46 million, has historically been a massive prize in the heart of Europe. The site of the ancient Slavic state, the Kievan Rus, it was the regional cradle of Orthodox Christianity. Over centuries, parts of Ukraine have belonged to Poland, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia and the Soviet Union. The Russian national anthem glorifies Russia's might and grandeur. The Ukrainian anthem dreams of expelling enemies and finally being masters of their own land. In fact the central message of Ukraine's anthem is: Freedom is not dead yet. Some in Ukraine's Russian-speaking east and south do feel nostalgic for the Soviet past. And many cherish ties with Russia, both economic and cultural.
No comments:
Post a Comment