Ukrainian Festive Traditions as a Tool of Cultural Self-Determination

• In Event: Building (and Resisting) Nation and Empire: Folklore, Oral Tradition, and Cultural Heritage as Usable Pasts

Abstract

Russia’s war against Ukraine, ongoing since 2014, is deeply rooted in Russian propaganda narratives that promote the concept of the so-called “Russian world.” These narratives justify Russia’s claims to dominance over neighboring territories under the pretext of “historical rights” and the protection of Russian-speaking populations. However, this ideology has had the opposite effect in Ukraine, leading to a decisive rejection of Russian cultural patterns at all levels. The decolonization process in Ukraine has strengthened national self-identification, with the revival and reintegration of Ukrainian folk traditions into everyday life serving as a symbol of cultural autonomy. Imperial and Soviet policies marginalized many Ukrainian rituals. Today, distancing from Russian culture is evident in reviving and promoting ancient traditions, replacing Russian and Soviet holidays, and reducing Russian church influence. These transformations contribute to a new national narrative in which Ukrainian festive traditions reinforce cultural identity and resist imperial influence.

Author

• Nataliia Naumovska, U of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign