KHVEDIR VOVK’S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT V. VELEDNYTSKYI’S SLANDER

Abstract

The article consists of information about activity of the “Stara Hromada” in the 70s of the 19th century. It is found Khedir Vovk’s personal documents at the Scientifi c Archive of the Institute of Archaeology of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences, in particular, the document “Slander of the Kyivian traitor V. Velednytskyi”. This document shows how “Stara Hromada” members were dangerous for the Russian Imperia society. E. g., he wrote that Khvedir Vovk’s fl at was “radical”. Secret lectures about Marx’, Feuerbach’s, Fichte’s ideas were held at Vovk’s fl at. These lectures were dangerous because lectors raised the question of God’s absence. Besides, “Stara Hromada” members denied such important values for everyone in Russian Imperia as faith, family, and Homeland. This document is unique source for understanding collision between “Ukrainian/unofficial” and “Russian/ official” Kyiv. In 70s of 19th century were edicts, which banned Ukrainian language as language of knowledge (according to the Valuev Circular (1863) and the Ems Ukaz (1876)). Likewise, this episode should be integrated to the history of relations between intellectuals (particularly, archaeologists) and authorities. It is examined the KGB archives in Ukraine. Thus, repressions issue in 30s years of the 20th century in the USSR is so popular among historians. “Intellectuals (historians, archaeologists, etc) and authority” relations were not established during Soviet times. V. Velednytskyi’s slander helps to understand that intellectual-authority relations started from Russian Imperia and continued to Soviet times.