CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PROTECTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN VOLYN (1991–2024)

Abstract

The article analyses the activities of the Ukrainian and Polish communities of Volyn regarding the preservation of the region’s cultural heritage. Statistical data of the national composition of the population of the Volyn region are presented. Articles emphasises on the important role of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University in the life of the Volyn community. There is a department of Polish studies and translation here, which conducts cultural and educational activities that contribute to the preservation and protection of the cultural heritage of the Polish community in Volyn. The Institute of Poland, structural unit of VNU, which promotes the spread of Polish culture in Ukraine and Ukrainian culture in the Republic of Poland, has proven itself as an important institution. The Faculty of History, Political Science and National Security of the University has an educational and scientific laboratory “Center of Ukrainian-Polish Studies”. Important areas of its activity are the holding of educational events on the issues of Ukrainian-Polish relations. Active cultural and educational activities in Volyn are carried out by a number of public organizations and associations of Polish culture, which carefully protect the cultural heritage of their compatriots. The Society of Polish Culture in Volyn named after Ewa Felińska, Society of Polish Culture named after Tadeusz Kościuszko, Volyn Society of Polish Art “Barwy Kresowe” are active examples of those organisations. The article analyzes in detail their cultural and educational activities, which have been covered since 2009 by the bilingual newspaper “Volynskyi Monitor”. Abovementioned societies clean up Polish cemeteries, carry out events to monumentalize memory. The article contains many interesting examples of the activities of the Polish community in Volyn.