The thesis shows the essence and reveals the contents of educational and enlightenment activities of the Proletkult (proletarian cultural and educational organizations) during social and historical transformations in 1917-1932 in Ukraine. The historiography of the scientific problem is composed and the source base of the investigated issue is analyzed; theoretical and methodological principles and main scientific elements of the research are established. Based on the research concept and on structural analysis of key terms, the definition of the term "the Proletkult" is proposed. It is stated as an educational, self-governed, public voluntary organization, the purpose of which was to contribute to the educational and cultural development of the proletariat, to create appropriate organizational and pedagogical conditions for the identification and development of the creative potential in the working population (the proletariat) in various fields of art (literature, music, theatre, fine arts) and science, to provide educational and cultural work in Proletkult institutions (proletarian universities, workers' clubs, Proletcults for children, theatres, workshop, libraries, museums, clubs, etc.). Social, political, economic, educational and cultural preconditions for creation of proletarian enlightenment and educational organizations are clarified, the formation and development of the Proletkult as an organization of all-Union level are described, the main features of All-Ukrainian Proletkult's formation and activity are revealed. The organizational structure of the Proletkult as a self-governed organization is described. The principles of educational and enlightenment activity made by the Proletkult organizations are defined. They are as follows: principle of the objective necessity for critical rethinking of previous generations' cultural and educational experience; principle of self-organization; principle of a "new man" formation; principle of collectivism as the basis for social relations and cultural creativity; principle of novelty as the basis and result of a proletarian culture; principle of the leading role of the proletariat as the subject of cultural transformation; principle of the proletariat's creative activity; principle of transformation and rethinking of ideological views and the psychological bases of the proletarian environment; principle of creating a new way of life; principle of scientific base for labour processes; principle of close interconnection of creative activity with production; principle of ideological propaganda; principle of art democratization, aesthetic transformation of reality. Among the specific principles of educational and enlightenment activities of the All-Ukrainian Proletkult the author distinguishes the principle of national self-identification. The principles of educational and enlightenment activity made by the Proletkult organizations are defined. They are as follows: principle of the objective necessity for critical rethinking of previous generations' cultural and educational experience; principle of self-organization; principle of a "new man" formation; principle of collectivism as the basis for social relations and cultural creativity; principle of scientific base for labour processes; principle of close interconnection of creative activity with production; principle of ideological propaganda; principle of art democratization, aesthetic transformation of reality. Among the specific principles of educational and enlightenment activities of the All-Ukrainian Proletkult the author distinguishes the principle of national self-identification. It was discovered that the most massive forms of educational and enlightenment activity of the Proletkult were: the working club - the centre of educational and amateur activities for workers; workshops - general educational and special activities for workers' involvement in various types of art (theatrical, musical, literary, visual). The main form of the Proletkult cultural and creative activities was the work in clubs. It was also considered as an important part of the Proletkult activities. The thesis presents historical and pedagogical reflections on the educational and enlightenment activities of the Proletkult in Ukraine. It was established that the educational and enlightenment activities of the Proletkult during contemporary social transformations and the reformation of all spheres of life had a concept of cultural development with its further introduction in a wide network of educational institutions, innovative forms and methods of such activities. The decisive features of this process were: amateur activities and the autonomy of the mass public movement having educational and cultural orientation; democracy and initiative abilities, manifested in the process of self-organization and self-governance; defending the national ideas and opposition to the levelling of national issues in culture, art, education, regardless of the dominant ideology, political regime, etc.; differentiation of education: the external direction manifested in many types of Proletcult educational and cultural institutions (working clubs, circles, workshops, libraries, proletarian universities, proletkults for children, etc.), and internal direction taking into consideration the interests, students' educational, cognitive and creative possibilities (literary, theatrical, musical and fine arts).
