The position of national minorities in the country is certainly important for both Poland and Ukraine, especially in the process of European integration. Poles are one of the oldest and largest ethnic minorities in Ukraine, which appeared in this area in princely times. Thus, according to the last census conducted in 2001, there were 144.1 thousand Poles in Ukraine. Polonia's activities play an important role in the transformation of society, the rapprochement and understanding of the Ukrainian and Polish peoples, and the establishment of interstate partnership.
The study of public associations of Polonia of Ukraine provides an opportunity to assess the specific activities of Ukraine during the Perestroika and the years of independence, in culture (formation of societies, institutions of aesthetic education, media) to meet the humanitarian needs of the Polish minority.
Ultimately, on the example of the organizations of the Ukrainian Polonia, we can better understand the importance of transformational national processes in modern Ukraine, anticipate and avoid mistakes that occur in society on an interethnic basis.
The source base of the work consists of documents and materials designed to highlight certain aspects of the dissertation. Among the main types of sources used in the study are regulations (domestic and international), documents of institutions and organizations, journalistic sources, periodicals, biographical literature, analytical reports, opinion polls and web resources. Most sources on the subject are characterized by a high level of digitization.
The study highlights the activities of Polish national and cultural associations in the context of the revival and development of their cultural and spiritual life. The paper pays special attention to the cultural, educational, social and legal aspects of the functioning of Polonia of Ukraine and the study of its organizational principles in Ukraine.
The study analyzes the conditions of historical formation, development of Polish public organizations and their main legal basis for the activities of the Polish minority in Ukraine.The conceptual bases of the peculiarities of the creation and functioning of Polish cultural public organizations and ethnographic societies of Polonia are revealed. As a result, it makes it possible to understand the stages of formation of Polish associations, to trace the territory of their spread.
Particular attention is paid to the study of the main areas of educational activities of Polonian associations, including the establishment of schools, classes and other educational institutions to promote and disseminate the Polish language, history, culture, customs and traditions. Their work is effective not only among ethnic Poles, but also among other peoples of our country, because the percentage of Ukrainians who study and know the Polish language is growing every year.
A prominent place in the work is occupied by the analysis of the peculiarities and specifics of Polish associations in the development of the Polish-language press and mass media, Internet resources, television, and radio broadcasting. Due to such activities Polish societies of Ukraine confirm their presence in the information field, which proves that the Polish national minority is becoming more cohesive every year.
The foundation and directions of activity of art institutions and organizations of aesthetic education of Polonia in Ukraine are studied and characterized. We can say that these organizations are, to a large extent, self-financed, with the exception of a little help from the Consulates and the Government of the Republic of Poland. In Ukraine, however, there are no proper conditions for their development.
The importance of creating and supporting cultural events for national minorities, including Polonia, is also substantiated. The paper highlights the largest cultural events that took place with the participation of Polish public cultural societies or organized by them.
The provisions and conclusions of the study can be used in the development of normative and special courses, special seminars, research studies on the recent history of Ukraine on national minorities, ethnopolitics, cultural history, cultural anthropology, everyday history, interstate relations, Polish history; in the preparation of articles, monographs, textbooks and manuals on this topic.
Key words: Ukraine, Republic of Poland, national minority, ethnopolitics, Ukrainian-Polish relations, public organizations, Polish education, ethnic festivals, press, social and political activism, assimilation, migration, folklore, national heritage, church.
