Historical memory in Ukraine
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- Start Date: 01 Nov 2025End Date: 01 Nov 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
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What is the course about?
This one-day course explores the role of history and memory in shaping Ukraine’s national identity, political culture, and international relations. As a country with a complex and contested past, Ukraine has been at the crossroads of empires, wars, and ideological struggles. This course examines how key historical events—such as the era of the Kyvan Rus’, the Cossack period, Tsarist and Soviet rule, the Holodomor famine, World War II, Crimea, and Chernobyl—are remembered, reinterpreted, and debated in Ukraine today.
We will analyse state and grassroots memory projects, the role of historical narratives in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, and how memory politics influence national and international perceptions of Ukraine. Through case studies, we will also explore alternative perspectives, including how different regions, ethnic groups, and political movements engage with the past.
What will we cover?
- The Cossack Legacy and Early Ukrainian Identity: Myths, realities, and modern nationalist interpretations
- Ukraine under Empire: Memory of Polish-Lithuanian, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian rule
- The Holodomor (1932–33): Remembering Soviet policies, famine, and genocide debates
- World War II and Competing Narratives: Ukrainian nationalists, Soviet partisans, and postwar memory politics
- The Chernobyl Disaster (1986): Environmental memory, state cover-ups, and cultural representations
- Crimea and Donbas in Historical Memory: Shifting narratives of identity, sovereignty, and conflict
- Rewriting History After Independence (1991–Present): Decommunization, removing Soviet symbols, and building a new national narrative
- Memory and the Ongoing War with Russia: How historical narratives are weaponized in conflict and diplomacy.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand how history and memory shape Ukrainian national identity and political debates
- Analyse how different historical events are remembered, contested, and politicized
- Identify the role of historical memory in Ukraine’s relationship with Russia and the West
- Critically assess the role of monuments, museums, textbooks, and media in constructing national narratives
- Explore how grassroots and official memory projects contribute to shaping Ukraine’s future.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course will be delivered as a study day (morning and afternoon), including a mix of lectures, discussions, and case-study analysis. There is no required work outside of class, but optional reading materials will be provided for further exploration.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HMI41 History and memory in the United States of America.
Olivia Durand is global historian doing work and teaching on the politics of history and memory, settler colonialism and colonial port cities in addition to the history of 19th century Russia, Ukraine and America. Olivia has worked at Oxford University, the Free University in Berlin and the Institute of Historical Justice and Reconciliation in the Hague and is keen to offer more courses at City Lit.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.