Ukrainian narodolyubets and ukrainian scholar Petro Yefimenko: formation of worldvie

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15421/272110

Abstract

The aim of the article is to highlight the formation of the worldview of P. S. Yefimenko (1835–1808) as a Ukrainian patriot. The research methods were historical-genetic, historicaltypological, personalistic. Sources: archival documents of Russian gendarmes, published autobiographical materials of P. Yefimenko, memoirs of I. M. Kasyanenko and diary entries of O. F. Kistyakivsky, works of modern authors, etc. The main results are to clarify the peculiarities of the formation of the worldview of Peter Yefimenko, which was born under the influence of Ukrainian ethnic roots, native Ukrainian language, folklore heritage against the background of natural and climatic conditions of Steppe Ukraine. Gymnasium and student periods of his life had their significance in P. Yefimenko’s Ukrainian self-awareness. Then the circle of reading of Peter which included the Ukrainian literature, in particular “Kobzar” of T. Shevchenko considerably expanded. It is shown that P. Yefimenko began to collect Ukrainian folklore and ethnographic materials, participated in Ukrainian youth centers, such as V. Nelhovsky’s Kharkiv circle. At Kharkiv University, he was an active member of the student opposition group, which became the basis of the Kharkiv-Kyiv Secret Society. In this environment, in addition to Ukrainian patriotic sympathies, Russian radical-democratic ideas spread, which were formed under the influence of illegal publications by O. Herzen. P. Yefimenko’s Ukrainian patriotic views continued to take shape during his studies at Moscow University, when he took part in intellectual discussions with supporters of various ideological doctrines. It is established that in the late 1850’s P. Yefimenko made a trip on the route Moscow – Nizhyn – Kyiv – Chernihiv – Kyiv, during which his ideological search continued. During his stay at St. Volodymyr’s University, P. Yefimenko’s final ideological turn from the ideas of Russian radical democracy to Ukrainian patriotism took place. The arrest and involvement in the case of the Kharkiv- Kyiv Secret Society marked the beginning of a new stage in the life and work of P. Yefimenko as a Ukrainian figure and researcher in the field of Ukrainian studies. Brief conclusions. It is proved that during the 1850s P. Yefimenko was formed as a supporter of the ideas of Ukrainian patriotism, who overcame the influences of Russian radical democracy. During this period, his activities in the field of Ukrainian studies began. The practical significance of the article is that the presented material will be of interest to specialists in the context of studying the ethno-national and socio-political history of Ukraine in the XIX century. The originality of the article lies in the comprehension of little-studied aspects of the formation of the worldview of the Ukrainian figure. Scientific novelty in the actualization of the worldview and activity of P. S. Yefimenko, who in the pre-reform period was formed into a Ukrainian patriot and Ukrainian scholar. Article type: descriptive-analytical.

Published

2021-06-01