Smoulsky I. National and cultural identity in the Slavic neo-heathen movements in Ukraine late XX - early XXI century.

The dissertation is focused on the issue of national and cultural identity in teachings of the main Slavic neo-heathen movements in modern Ukraine. Teaching of Obiednannia Ridniviriv Ukrayiny (Native Faith Association of Ukraine), Rodove Vognyshche Slovyans'koyi Ridnoyi Viry (Ancestral Hearth Slavic Native Faith), Rus'ke Pravoslavne Kolo (Russian Orthodox Сircle), Slovyans'ka Dukhovna Techiya "Velyky Vogon'" (Slavic spiritual movement "Great Fire"), Sobor Ukrayins'koyi Ridnoyi Viry (the Council of Native Ukrainian Faith) are analyzed in three complementary fields of content: (1) definition of national identity and the role of nationalist ideas, (2) attitude towards the concept of "Slavs" and the idea of Pan-Slavism; (3) the attitude towards non-Slavic peoples and issue of tolerance. The general characteristic is given and some common and distinctive moments are defined. The use of the term "neopaganism" is justified in full compliance with all specifications and requirements as to the scientific term itself; the meaning and scope of the concept are fully disclosed and reasonable restrictions imposed by it are substantiated. The universal approach to the typology of neo-heathen movements based on "eclectic-reconstructionist" and "universalist-ethnic" scales is proposed. Another thematic field of study is focused on the role ridnovir communities in interfaith conflicts of modern Ukraine.