CAMP OF UNA INTERNED TROOPS IN PIKULICE, POLAND (JANUARY — FEBRUARY, 1921): CONDITIONS OF STAY AND SOLDIERS’ MORALE

Abstract

The article analyses the conditions of stay and morale of interned soldiers of UNA in the camp of Pіkulicе (Poland). It is proved that the life of Ukrainian soldiers was marked by considerable difficulties, caused by overcrowding of the camp, lack of firewood for heating huts, inefficient work of sanitary facilities, extremely poor food and other restrictions. All these led to a significant increasing the incidence rate in the camp, but thanks to well-established medical care, the spread of infectious diseases were quickly localized. But all the same, these factors in a complex led to the demoralization of those Ukrainian soldiers, who did not have stable national-state convictions. In these conditions, the efforts of senior military commanders and employees of cultural and educational departments to strengthen the morale of interned persons became of great importance. For this purpose, in the camp it was organized special courses for increasing the middle level of education of the Cossaks. For the same purpose it was arranged the library and reading room for 50-60 people in the camp. Members of publishing section put great effort into publishing scientific periodical “Zaporozhets”, and satirical magazine, distributed in the barracks. It was created conditions for sport activity among interned soldiers. In their free time soldiers went to the amateur Ukrainian theatre.