Windows and Doors as Border Symbols of Home Space

The article deals with the ritual significance of some traditional Ukrainian dwellings architectural elements, such as windows and doors. This theme is not completely studied at the scientific literature, because scientists mainly describe the external characteristics of architectural forms and only rarely mention their symbolic meaning. So, this article is based on the analysis of many examples of Ukrainian folklore, first of all lyric and calendar songs, legends and fairytales, as well as the rituals describing, taken by cultural anthropologists and folklorists from the 19th century. During the study the authors find out, that windows and doors in Ukrainian traditional culture were perceived as complex elements, because they were both part of the dwelling complex and had a symbolic meaning and special functions in rituals and folklore. Having lots ot similar features, the ritual meaning of windows and doors at the same time have some differences. Doors, first of all, served as an entrance and an exit, so their basic function was to pass in the house, to let out from it and to provide protection; instead, the window provided a visual connection to the outside world. The general sacred value of the studied objects was their role as a symbolic border between «own» and «alien» space. This provided a connection between the inhabitants of the house and the outside world and protected the interior home space from real and mythological threats from the outside. Windows and doors in traditional culture had to provide the transparency of limits. As a result, the studied architectural elements of the dwelling have been given the status of particularly dangerous points of contact with the outside world. It was signified in the relevant beliefs of our ancestors. People must cross the threshold without stepping on it, it was impossible to sit on it, it was impossible to stand on it during the thunder. As it was mentioned above, windows and doors served as the limit between «own» and «alien» space, therefore they could not only let the souls of the dead in the house on some calendar holidays, but they also protect house from unwanted arrival of different demonological creatures (witches, mermaids, living dead, etc.), for what on windows and doors, above them and under them were put various amulets. Sacralized locuses of home space have become elements of calendar, family, magic rituals that have accompanied a person in traditional society from birth to death.

Economic and Cultural Life of the Czech Migrants of Volhynian Province in the Late 19th – early 20th centuries

The article explores the main aspects of Czech economic activity in the territory of Volhyn. Particular attention is paid to the formation of agriculture, the acquisition of land by the colonists, their agriculture and industry. The article highlights the peculiarities of Czech people cultural life in the region at the end of XIX – beginning of XX century. It is noted that the most favorable conditions for Czech emigration were created in the Volhynian province, where after the abolition of serfdom in 1861 and the unsuccessful Polish uprising in 1863, the Czechs were able to buy land at relatively cheap prices. The article shows the tsarist government’s policy towards the settlers, which he endorsed and supported in order to weaken the influence of the Polish nobility and raise the economic level of the province. It is noted that the Czech settlers were interested in local Polish landlords, who were devastated for various reasons and were considered to be real buyers of their land. The article chronologically indicates their regions of residence in the Volyn province counties. The study shows the difficulties faced by migrants in their first years of residence on new territory and ways to overcome them. It is noted that the tsarist administration saw in the Czechs the bearers of Western European progress, because they were distinguished by a high level of agro-culture. The article examines the tsarist government’s study of the quantitative and qualitative state of life of the Czechs in the province, and points to the authorities’ conclusion that the settlers were wealthy compared to Ukrainian peasants. For the first time on the basis of archival documents, the study analyzed the number of Czechs and the amount of land they purchased for private ownership in each township and in general in the Volhynian province counties. It was concluded that the largest number of Czechs lived in Dubna County, where on average there were 1,45 des. of land per person, and in general in the province there were 1,6 des. of land per person. It is noted that during the Stolypin agrarian reform, the Czechs began to migrate from the agrarian-populated Volhynian province to other regions of the empire. The article analyzes the peculiarities of Czechs’ economic activity during the reform period, the creation of exemplary farms and cutting farms. Based on individual field studies, the value of Czech living in the region is shown.

Social Traditions of Entertainment and Communication of Ukrainian Peasants in the SECOND HALF OF THE 20th – early 21th centuries (ON EXPEDITIONARY MATERIALS)

Socio-normative life of Ukrainians of the 20th – the beginning of the 21th centuries, that covers aspects of management, self-organization and formation of public institutions, mutual assistance and leisure, regulation of behavior, is a poorly studied topic in ethnological science. During the establishment of the Soviet system, which completely changed the traditional way of life of Ukrainian peasants, a major transformation of the customs of public life took place. Following Ukraine’s independence, modern social normative practices were developing according to the requirements of the new legislation. As the result, nowadays there is a considerable urgency to investigate the specifics and changes that have taken place in public life in the Ukrainian villages in the second half of the 20th – early 21th centuries. In the new socio-economic and national-religious contexts, despite the changes in industrial relations and socio-professional composition of the rural population, the system of traditional social life in Ukraine was able to maintain positive and well-considered skills of social coexistence, forms of daily and festive leisure, as well as the moral and ethical standards of people’s coexistence. The article on the materials of expeditions to Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Zakarpattya, Odessa, Kharkiv regions analyzes the preservation and peculiarities of transformation of traditional social forms of leisure and communication of peasants during the second half of the 20th – early 21th centuries. The types and places of daily (customs of «calling for freshness», «going for liver», mutual assistance, evening meetings) and festive (during the temple holiday, mutual guests, youth entertainment, celebration of the village holiday) leisure of the village community are revealed. Most of the information was recorded on evening meetings. They are a socio-everyday entity that organically combines entertainment and work elements. Usually, the main guideline for their conducting was hand work (spinning, embroidery, sewing), accompanied by songs and entertainment. The made records give a certain idea of the contemporary collective customs and traditions of Ukrainians in rural areas, especially of interpersonal relations in the Ukrainian peasant environment of today. The common belief among the respondents is that some changes in people’s behavior are manifested by a decrease in interest in communication than before (reciprocal guest-houses between the villagers have become a rarity – they only gather on holidays). Today, the customs of collective mutual assistance (in case of distress or distress in one of the villagers) are still preserved among the rural population.

The Ukrainian emigrant press in Germany after Second World War (1945–1948) as a source for investigation of historical and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian diaspora

The collection of periodicals of camps for displaced persons and the Ukrainian emigrant press are considered as a study source for investigation of historical and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian Diaspora. It is highlighted that despite challenging conditions after the Second World War, the Ukrainian emigrants cared not only about material needs, but also preserved national cultural heritage. It is argued that the process mentioned above took place in constant struggle with the Soviet repressive system, which aspired to bring back as many displaced persons as possible. However, deliberate Ukrainian intellectuals had different political views but were united by the Ukrainian national idea and created significant historical and cultural heritage after the Second World War, particularly in Germany, part of the heritage was described on the pages of periodicals of the Ukrainian Diaspora. Number and social composition of the Ukrainian emigrants after the Second World War in Germany and Austria is analyzed on the basis of the periodicals, particularly «The Bulletin of Information Help Service». Establishment of educational institutions, archives and libraries in 1945–1948 in Germany is described. Considerable attention is paid to analysis of periodical the «UFAS Chronicle», and investigation of activities of the museum-archive, scientific library and «The Society for the Protection of Ukrainian Heritage Abroad» of the Ukrainian Free Academy of Science in Germany is based on these materials. Significant attention should be drawn to activities of the Scientific and Research Institute of the Ukrainian Martyrology of the Ukrainian Political Prisoners League. Study of the Ukrainian Diaspora periodicals enables to formulate source study vision for students to understand participation of Diaspora in preservation of the heritage and ways of utilization in tourist activities.

Features of Linguistic Terminology Regarding Counterfeiters in the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires in the XIX – early XX centuries

The article analyzes the main terms used by law enforcement investigators and editors of the old newspapers regarding to counterfeiters, the forged money, and the process of selling them. Evidence of lexis in relation to counterfeiting has been traced from the criminal cases stored in the state historical archives of Ukraine and Poland, as well as in newspapers periodicals of Ukrainian cities. Most of the sources used in the study are published for the first time. The counterfeiters in Russian empire were called «manufacturer», «counterfeiter», but in Austro-Hungarian – the «counterfeiter» and «deceiver». The process of falsification in the newspapers of Galicia was defined in relation to money, as «made», «fabricated», in the Russian Empire – «cooked», «fabricated» and others. Most often, the definition of a counterfeiter’s personality was referred to as «counterfeiter», «coin counterfeiter», «counterfeiter». The place of counterfeiting was positioned as a «mint», often with the note «secret» or «illegal». In most newspaper publications, organized gangs of counterfeiters were described as а «gang banditti». Linguistic tautology «counterfeiting of counterfeit coins» is oftenly applied to counterfeit manufacturers. In terms of paper money, the definition «paper» and «picture» were used. The Galician press often called the trial of counterfeiters a «massacre». In 1915 in Chernihiv the credit notes signed by cashier S. Brut because of misinformation about their fraud, the population became wary of exchanging such a money, calling it «Brut’s rubles». For flat metal engraved cliches to print counterfeit assignments and credit cards the term «boards» was used, and coin counterfeiting tools are referred to as «counterfeiting machines» or «weapon tools».

Archaeological methods and innovations in the post-Soviet area through eyes of archaeologists

The history of archaeological method and innovation during the post-war and contemporary periods has been studied not enough in the post-Soviet area. But this topic is actual because at that time achievements of the scientific-technical revolution have been implemented into archaeology. The aim of the article is to study the method of primary data processing (information collection at the time of excavation, an office study of artifacts and preparation of a report on the archaeological excavation) and innovation to this process in the Soviet and post-Soviet archaeology. The research is based on 7 interviews with archaeologists from Kyiv, Moscow and St. Petersburg which have been recorded by the author. On the respondents’ opinion for the last 15 years modern digital technique as digital cameras, GPS and laser tacheometers has been used in the post-Soviet area and non-invasive methods of archaeological research have spread at the last time. In the USSR field lists of artifacts were filled manually at the beginning then it was made by personal computers. An approach to anthropological materials selection has been changed since the Soviet time and cooperation with natural scientists has been widespread in the field. Since 1970s Soviet archaeologists have made attempts to create data bases. Initially matrix tables were used for this then it was realized by computers. These works were provided in Moscow and Kyiv but the progress was made only after appearance of modern PC. A special computer program has been developed for burial sites of the Bronze Age which is in use till now. In the Soviet time the quality of reports on the archaeological excavation depended on funding and other sources of researchers and research establishments. And the most difficult work was preparation of field drawings for final reports. PCs were in use for working with texts at the beginning and after some time for processing of graphic materials. It made the archaeologists’ work simpler. Today modern technologies help to fix artifacts better in the field and to process primary data. But there are problems with comparison of results because of different equipment status of scholars. Moreover, one respondent expresses an idea that computers have made work easier but they have not led to a revolutionary breakthrough directly in archaeology.

Is Belarus on the verge of civilizations?

The article shows that the ontological status of Belarus does not necessarily need to be formulated as the border between the West and the East. Belarus is often regarded as a border area between the West and the East. Hence, different political conclusions are drawn: with whom Belarusians – with the East, in which Russia is always considered, or – with the West, that is, Europe. According to the author of the article, this formulation of the question is in principle incorrect. In the first place should be Belarus, and then all other countries. The territory of any country lies between the territories of some other countries. But for some reason, no ideologists or politicians pay much attention to this fact. It is necessary to raise the question of Belarus as an independent state which for many centuries was a powerful political and cultural entity. Huntington’s definition of a «torn» country does not apply to Belarus. The place of Belarus in the concept of modern world civilizations is not that of a Western or Orthodox civilization, but is of a union of Christian states.

Creation and formation of Sumy guerrilla union: activity of Putivl guerrilla group (august 1941 – february 1942)

The article analyzes the first period of the activity of the Sumy partisan association in the period of the existence of the Putivl partisan detachment and partisan detachments of some regions of the Sumy region. The main tendencies of forming partisan detachments in the Sumy region are determined. On an example of the Putivl partisan detachment the process of training, staffing and selection of leadership, material and technical support for the underground partisan resistance movement is reflected. The reasons for failures at the initial stage of activity are determined. The activity of individual partisan detachments that operated from the beginning of the temporary Nazi occupation as separate combat units was investigated, and subsequently they became as a part of the Putivl combined partisan detachment (Sumy partisan association): the Putivl partisan detachment under the command of S. A. Kovpak, the Putivl partisan detachment of S. V. Rudnev, Glukhiv Partisan Detachment of P. L. Kulbaka, Shalyginsky (Kholopkovsky) Partisan Detachment of A. Ya. Saganyuk, Kharkiv Partisan Detachment of M. Y. Vorontsov, Krolevetsky guerrilla group of V. M. Kudryavskyj, Konotop guerrilla unit of V. P. Kochemazov and others. The system of relations between partisan detachments and their command structure with the command of the Putivl combined partisan detachment was determined. The evolution of the structural system of the Putivl combined partisan detachment and its dependence on combat conditions is shown. The battle line of the partisan detachment under the command of Kovpak – Rudnev during August 1941 – February 1942 was investigated. The military conflicts with the Nazi occupation forces and the methods of confrontation of partisan units, intelligence, sabotage, politico-propaganda activity of the Putivl combined partisan detachment (Sumy partisan Association) at the initial stage of its activity is analyzed.

TYPOLOGY OF THE CITIES OF DNIPRO UKRAINE IN THE LAST QUARTER XVIII – BEGINNING OF THE XX CENTURY IN THE SCIENTIFIC DISCOURSE OF THE EMPIRE ERA

The article presents the analysis of historiographical achievements made by the scientists of the imperial era in such important methodological aspects of the historical study of the cities of Dnipro Ukraine in the last quarter of XIX – beginning of XX centuries as scientific definition of the concept of «city», its typology and functional purpose. It has been grounded that the works of pre-Soviet authors laid the foundations for defining basic concepts of one of the most complex and multidimensional objects of scientific study, which is a city. Being in close relationship, these concepts form terminological and conceptual system used by historical science. The problem of the content of basic concepts is caused by the existence of various forms of urban settlements and the reflection of the phenomenon of the city in the public consciousness, administrative and demographic statistics, from where it was introduced into science. As a result of historiographic analysis, it has been established that only certain aspects of urban issues have been covered in the works of modern scholars, including scientific definition of the concept, typology and functional purpose of the city. In pre-Soviet literature, the concept of the «city» was associated with a settlement that had a legal status and large population, mostly employed in trade and industry. At the same time, the thesis was formed about the identity of the concepts of «city» and «trade and industrial centre», which became dominant in the second half of the nineteenth century. This fact made most researchers to follow W. Sombart in recognizing cities only «in the economic sense». Scientists generally recognized the weakness of the urban policy of the Russian autocracy, which was primarily guided by administrative needs. And some scientists have tried to come up with their own vision of the criteria according to which a particular settlement can be considered to be a city.

Dwelling of Volhynians at the End of XIV – the middle of the XVI century

The article discusses the kind of a typical house of the medieval Volhynian of the late XIV – middle XVI centuries. It is based on narrative and archaeological sources. The author explores the stages of building a house, material options and the help of craftsmen, external and internal appearance of the house, a variety of household utensils. It was found out that the family yard consisted mostly of living quarters, stables, farm pits and gardens. Wealthy townspeople placed baths in the yard, obtaining permission from the administration. The construction of the house was the business of the owner, who, in addition to the involvement of artisans, was himself a worker. An essential attribute of the dwelling was the furnace, which was decorated with tiles of geometric or floral ornament. Until the beginning of the sixteenth century, the living quarters were wooden, while the administrative and church buildings were made of stone. This was one of the causes of city fires that local authorities tried to fight, limiting candle light and hiring a city security guard. It is noted that in order to fill the houses, the market was filled with wide range of products from local manufactures, from shovels to variety of colored glasses, bowls and other kitchen essentials. It was proved that the home decoration was influenced by owner’s activities, his well-being and aesthetic preferences typical for the residents of the region. It was also determined that the dwellings of Volhynian were rich enough. In addition to that, the development of the city was monitored by the local authorities, which often abused its power.