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Modern Ukrainian national identity is at least 5 centuries old

I don't think so. If it can be said to exist at all.

Ukraine can be divided into at least 3, but even better 9 regions with separate history, culture and 'identity'. They could really start to flow together only 14 years ago. Tough the Russian-speaking Southeast doesn't like it, and the Centre/North won't accept it as exclusive, the origin of the current national mythology and language is in the Western part - and formed in the 19th century, mostly on area held by the Habsburg Monarchy (and Western Christian like the Poles). The North has history as Eastern Slav political (Kyiv Rus) and religious centre (in conflict with Poland 400-300 years ago), the Centre has history as free Kossacks (in conflict with Poland at similar times). Meanwhile, the Southeast had not much to do with Poland 500 years ago, as the population is more recent settlement from central Tsarist Russia after conquest from the Ottoman Empire.

It may yet fall apart - don't you remember the tensions during the 'Orange Revolution'?

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Wed Dec 14th, 2005 at 04:22:09 PM EST
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