Vorobiei O. Folk costumes of Podillya: regional specificity, transformation processes (XX - beginning of XXI century.)

The dissertation is the first special historical and ethnographic research of folk dress of Podillya in the XX - beginning of XXI century. It introduces new scientific empirical data obtained during field ethnographic expeditions in 42 villages of Podillya and collected in the museum repositaries during 2013-2015 (Ternopil', Khmel'nyts'ky, Vinnytsa and Odesa regions). It shows that the area of historical and ethnographic region Podillya that covers the territory of modern Vinnytsia, Khmel'nyts'ky, Ternopil' regions and northern part of Odesa one, has a unique geographical position - namely, it runs between East and West. The formation of spiritual and cultural potential of the region is largely influenced by the peculiarities of its historical development. The dissertation proves that folk costume of Podillya in first half of the XX-th century has regional differences. The author points out that exceptional value for Podolyans was a regulations dealing with the production and use of holiday (ceremonial) dress, performance of certain ceremonies.