Contenu du sommaire : L'Ukraine ancienne et nouvelle Réflexions sur le passé culturel et le présent politique de l'Ukraine

Vadim Skuratovsku, For a typology of cultural relationship between Russia and Ukraine. The cultural relations between Russia and Ukraine have often been analyzed from various standpoints; however, their specific nature, — in so far as they were "extra-ethnic" relations, particularly in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries — , has not always been stressed. This article tries to show how the "huge Ukrainian" cultural exports to Russia account for it. Later on, during the narodnichestvo and the twentieth-century revolutions, those relations have been interspersed with interethnic factors, which turned into "international" (mezhnatsional'nye) ones. However, the significant presence of Ukrainian culture in Russian culture may be a guarantee of the normalization of cultural as well as political relationship between the two countries.

Aleksandr Arkhangel'skii, The mystic of the Empire in Russian policy, and the early nineteenth-century culture. The article analyzes the question of "imperial consciousness" as a cultural and historical paradigm in the first three decades of the nineteenth century. Its characteristics belong in the same way to opposite projects as far as the structure of the state is concerned, and to different historíosophical stances — ranging from Alexander I and Karamzin to Ryleev and Pushkin. They are even to be found in Baratynskii's poem Edda, which parodies Pushkin's "imperial" verses. This paradigm sometimes turns out to be dangerous in the Russian Empire imperial policy, but is irrevocable in Russian culture.

Vladimir Kadenko, Ukraine in Kondratii Ryleevs work. К. Ryleev's work stands out against the background of the Decembrist movement, which resulted from the intertwining of romanticist traditions and the political and military situation in post-Napoleonistic Europe. His lyrical characters are indissolubly linked to Ryleev's time. In this respect, Ukrainian history, and the struggle for its independence provide an enormous material. Throughout the years in which Peter the Great is celebrated, Ryleev depicts Peter's enemies, striving for liberty, in a vivid and poetic way. There is no discrepancy whatsoever between the romantic poet's words and actions, and the statements and deeds of his characters.

Victor Koptilov, The penetration of the major European myths in Ukraine. The main figures of the major European myths have made their way through Ukrainian literature over the last century. In the works of T. Shevchenko, I. Franko, P. Tychyna, Iu. Klen, M. Bajan, etc., such figures as Prometheus, Moses, the Virgin Mary, Faust, Don Juan, and Don Quixote have undergone various alterations, according to the writer's personality and under the influence of political and social circumstances. Even when noticeably altered (and this was the case with Moses in Franko 's poem, or with Don Juan in Lesia Ukraiinka's drama), they still preserve their "ideological nucleus." The constant presence of the major European myths in Ukrainian literature is witness to its belonging to the European cultural space.

Konstantin Sigov, The transformation of "external war" and Dragomanov' s political theory. On the verge of the twentieth century, Clausewitz' statement according to which "war is nothing but a continuation of political intercourse with the admixture of different means" is no longer valid. The order of things has been reversed. How comes that domestic policy turns into the continuation of external policy, and both — into the continuation of war? What is prompting their mutual reccurrence? The course of events enhances the value of M. Dragomanov 's historical testimony (1841-1895) on the transformation of an "external war" (such as the Balkan campaign, the political terrorism in the capital), as well as of his analysis of the signs of a "reversed war" to come. As a political émigré in Geneva, Dragomanov provides an in-depth analysis of wars at the time when Empires (such as the Russian, Austrian, and Ottoman ones) collapsed.

Igor' Vinogradov, The life and death of the Soviet notion of "friendship of the peoples ". The article examines how the Soviet notion — "the friendship of the peoples" — has been replaced by the recently coined expression: "near abroad." It investigates the rise of a violent antagonism and the outburst of ethnocentrism in post-communist Europe, and compares this ethno-paranoia with a pseudo-religious crisis, the origin of which is to be ascribed rather to a spiritual vacuum than to political, economic or social causes. Under these circumstances, the intelligentsia is meant to play an important part in the future, and has to set an example in reviving universal values.

Adam Michnik, Poland and Ukraine: a new dialogue. The article analyzes the relatioaship between Poland and Ukraine, which is viewed differently, depending on whether a multiethnic or monoethnic Poland is at stake. The collective memory of both peoples is divided, distressed, and tries to dodge dramatic events such as the anti-Ukrainian repression in pre-war Poland.

Georges Nivat, Kiev and Moscow: a myth or a legacy to be shared. The article depicts the national awakening of Ukraine, connected to the dissident figures of the 1970's, such as Dziuba, Osadchyi or Pliushch. It shows how difficult it is to share a common heritage, tilted towards Russia by Gogol' or Repin, and towards Ukraine by Shevchcnko or Dragomanov.

Leonid Finberg, The major problems of Ukrainian society in 1995. In this article, the author describes the main issues linked to the restructuring of the Ukrainian state and society. He outlines the main political tendencies and the course of action taken by the Parliament and the President. Then he assesses the economic transformations and sociological data related to the standard of living of the population, and he sketches the shaping of civil society, parties and movements, as well as the main ideological and political tendencies, whilst focusing on a few peculiarities in western or eastern Ukraine. The transformation of the young state is emphasized in the context of the new geopolitical realities in Eastern Europe, and of its relationship with Russia. In conclusion, the author presents the prevailing factors which will contribute to the development of the country in the near future.

Leonid Finberg, The major problems of Ukrainian society in 1995. In this article, the author describes the main issues linked to the restructuring of the Ukrainian state and society. He outlines the main political tendencies and the course of action taken by the Parliament and the President. Then he assesses the economic transformations and sociological data related to the standard of living of the population, and he sketches the shaping of civil society, parties and movements, as well as the main ideological and political tendencies, whilst focusing on a few peculiarities in western or eastern Ukraine. The transformation of the young state is emphasized in the context of the new geopolitical realities in Eastern Europe, and of its relationship with Russia. In conclusion, the author presents the prevailing factors which will contribute to the development of the country in the near future.