Algoryth of Consolidation: Ukrainocentrism as Away of life

As previously reported, October 23 Kamyanets-Podilsky witnessed a spectacular public presentation of The Day’s Library Book Series’ two-volume historical anthology made up of Ukraine Incognta collection of essays and the book Dvi Rusi (edited by Editor-In-Chief Larysa Ivshyna), held in commemoration of the local university’s 85th anniversary, complemented by a display of the newspaper’s best artistic photography.

Those wishing to highlight what they believe are the most significant pages in the annals of their native cities sometimes mention certain events as addressing their glorious past and that this is a mirror reflection of the whole path traveled by their Fatherland. Honestly, such statements often turn out gross and inflated overstatements. It is true, however, that there are places in Ukraine worthy of the highest of praise.

Kamyanets-Podilsky, a city in Khmelnytsky oblast, is a vivid example. Known as a “flower carved in stone,” it dates back several centuries and is a true gem of Podillia (the number of historic and architectural sites make it next perhaps only to Lviv). Its history is eventful, including devastating Turkish and Tartar raids, punitive — and ruinous — operations by Polish authorities, also the late seventeenth century large-scale deportation of populace to Left-bank Ukraine, turning the area into a desert... Bohdan Khmelnytsky’s miserable son Yuras [Yury] was executed at the Old Fortress in 1681, and the celebrated Ukrainian rebel Ustym Karmaliuk spent long torturous years behind bars here. Other memorable events include the city receiving the coveted Magdeburg Law privileges in 1352. In 1918, when Kamyanets- Podilsky hosted the UNR government, another spectacular Ukrainian figure, Ivan Ohiyenko, founded the country’s first institution of higher learning (currently known as the Kamyanets-Podilsky State University). Local history is important, among other things, in that it serves as an excellent basis upon which to work out the algorithm of national assertion, provided this nation demonstrates overall organic development; if you will, an algorithm of the Ukrainian spirit.

The Day’s journalists were pleased to hear that there were so many people supporting the style of Ukrainocentrism we currently adhere to, and which we saw during our two-day visit to Kamyanets-Podilsky.

It has become a tradition that at the meetings with students in various Ukraine’s cities many questions are usually posed to The Day’s chief editor. Larysa Ivshyna greeted students and professors with the Kamyanets-Podilsk University’s 85th anniversary, saying that “this holiday is presentation of the ideas professed by the dedicated people who work here.”