The dissertation analyzes the dynamics, main trends and consequences of socio-cultural processes in the Ukrainian ethnic environment of the USSR during the 60’s – 70’s of the twentieth century. Based on archival sources, the press, published documents, scientific literature the transformation of the socio-cultural face of the titular nation is investigated in the work, demographic changes in the Ukrainian ethnic group at the national and regional levels have been identified, the importance of the Sixtiers’ movement in expanding the ethnocultural boundaries of Ukrainians, the struggle of the Ukrainian intelligentsia for the preservation of the Ukrainian linguistic space and the national-spiritual component is highlighted, the national self-determination of the Ukrainian artists in their cultural and artistic creativity is analyzed, the unifying force of Ukrainian national identity is demonstrated, а rise in national consciousness of Ukrainians and focus of their views on preservation is shown, the role of the Ukrainian diaspora in the fight for the separation of the Ukrainian nation, the independence and unity of the Ukrainian state are revealed.
It has been proven that the 1960’s and 1970’s became one of the most difficult periods in the history of the Ukrainian nation. The process of assimilation of Ukrainians has reached the highest intensity compared to previous historical times of Soviet Ukraine. However, despite the unfavorable circumstances, the number of the Ukrainian titular nation representatives in the Ukrainian SSR, slowly, difficultly, but grew both quantitatively and qualitatively. Ukrainians mentally perceived themselves as the only people who, both naturally and under all international pacts, had the right to their own nation-state. Despite the leveling national policy of the Soviet government, the Ukrainian ethnic group retained its national identity, state and socio-cultural potential. Representatives of the Ukrainian ethnic group, who made up the majority in the Ukrainian SSR, actively demonstrated their national maturity through culture, thus laying the groundwork for further struggle for Ukraine’s political independence.
It was found that the Ukrainian diaspora was an integral part of the Ukrainian ethnic integrity. Numerous public and cultural-educational institutions created by emigrants in their places of residence stood guard over Ukrainian national interests and conducted fruitful cooperation with Ukrainians at home. The main task of the Ukrainian diaspora was to preserve the ethnic identity and cultural identity of the Ukrainian nation, to consolidate the scattered emigration forces for the sole purpose of preparing a solid foundation for the independence of united Ukraine.
The author notes that socio-cultural processes in the Ukrainian ethnic environment in the period led to the unity of Ukrainians on the basis of faith, language, customs, traditions, the emergence of a nationally conscious cohort of the Sixtiers, represented by cultural and artistic elite, which enriched national culture with paintings, movies, music, literature, singled out Ukrainian national motives from the Soviet «single» culture, etc. The representatives of the new generation of Ukrainian intelligentsia did not allow to break the ties of many Ukrainian generations despite all the efforts of the Soviet government. They managed to raise the Ukrainian national issue and show the world its unresolved nature in the USSR.
The irreversibility of the process of national self-determination of Ukrainians in the Ukrainian SSR through the cultural space is substantiated. In the professional hands of famous artists, culture became an important weapon in the struggle to preserve the historical identity of the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian creative intelligentsia of the 60’s – 70’s of the twentieth century made a great contribution to the further development of the general democratic and national movements, which ultimately led to the restoration of an independent Ukrainian state on the political map of the world.
