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Public lecture (enlightening discussion) "Volyn tragedy - the historical context and present"

July 27, 2016 in the exposition hall of the Regional Art Museum by the initiative of the Kropyvnytskyi organization ВУТ «Просвіта» there was the open public lecture and discussion of education with a famous historian in our city, a candidate of historical sciences, a restless laborer in patriotic and educational field Yuriy Mitrofanenko on the theme "Volyn tragedy ? the historical context and present". The moderator and active participant in the event was also known patriot, a social activist and scholar Olexandr Rakushniak, which made the meeting even in more patriotic color, and the indifferent citizens who gathered in the hall, had the opportunity to listen to two speakers at once and get answers to their questions. Symbolic is possible to consider the fact, that the event took place in the hall, where was the exhibition "Belarusians with Ukraine in the heart" for the results, conducted in November 2015 in the area ATO plein air. It was another reminder of the war and set up a serious perception of the announced topics.

It should also be noted that the proposed lecture became a natural, bright and very necessary at present manifestation of the ideological war in which Ukraine joined with great delay, just starting on this front to give a fitting rebuff to his enemies. The lecture theme is defined so-called "hysteria" in our yesterday's ally of Poland on the anniversary of the Volyn tragedy in 1943 and applications for recognition of genocide of the Polish people from the brutal Banderas. So, given the one-sided coverage of the Volyn tragedy in Poland that in a heroic war of Ukrainian people against Russian fascists can’t be named except treason and stab in the back, Lecturers set out to give an objective assessment of the events and we should take them for granted that the goal was handled adequately.

The lecturers came very thoroughly to cover the subject, having revealed the underlying historical reasons of Volyn tragedy, that has been brewing for several centuries and was eventually triggered by the policy of Hitler and Stalin, categorically denied recognition of Volyn tragedy as genocide, having competently and availably explained the difference between genocide and the problem of displaced persons, religious conflict, ethnic war, a war for the land and so on.

The red tape across the story were two important points ? confessions of both conflicting parties with the relevant conclusions for the future and the need for forgiveness in order to be able to build relationships with neighbors to a new level. Eloquent thesis that repeatedly sounded during the event was the following: "Poland will become a great power when will recognize that Lviv is a Ukrainian city, Grodno is a Belarusian city, Vilnius is a Lithuanian city" and "To be or not to be a hero in Ukraine ? Ukrainians decide themselves".

The audience was shown some pieces of documentary films that reflect events of Volyn tragedy and raise the topic of memory and forgiveness, preventing hatred of other people and so on. On the screen were heard witnesses memories of horrific events, which were lucky to survive, thoughts of policy, analysts, public figures. Much curiosity and, at the same time, concerns have caused pieces of documentary film, highlighting the attitude in contemporary Poland to Volyn tragedy, because with such a superficial approach to history and politics of double standards on the part of our neighbors get threat war on two fronts (at least ? the information war) for Ukraine can become very real.

The big positive factor of the event became an audience activity, which put numerous questions to lecturers and expressed their opinions on this subject. The participants were unanimous that the unleashed information war by Poland against Ukraine became possible through the passivity of Ukraine on the information front and now we have to make up lost to adequately defend the honor of our country. Poland felt disappointment position and been called into question to accuse Ukraine of genocide because of ethical cleansing in Poland itself, including its behavior towards the Jews. The degree of anti-Polish sentiment could be more, but the advocates of Polish side were representatives of the Polish communities of our city – Anatoliy Avdeev and Olexandr Sikorskyi, who stressed the need for a tolerant coexistence of different ethnic groups that meet modern European standards and values.

In general, it should be noted that despite the fact that the proposed theme and most resonant individual lecturers could contribute to the explosion of negative emotions, the event was held in a peaceful atmosphere, having become a role model.

Finally all presented thanked the lecturers for meaningful story and agreed that history should be dealt with by historians, not politicians, just not to realize the thesis: "History is a policy maid", and more ? expressed their belief in the need for such lectures, including educators of the city, who will educate a new generation of builders of Ukraine.