Ukrainian Post-Euromaidan Memory Culture: The Case of Stepan Bandera

The presentation will reveal some specific features of Ukrainian memory culture using the case of Stepan Bandera (1909-1959), the leader and the leading symbol of Ukrainian nationalism.  Since he is the most contested figure both in and outside of Ukraine, analysis of his case helps to discuss the very  possibility and limits of historical reconciliation. The special focus will  be put  on  emergence of Judeo-Bandera identity.

Yaroslav Hrytsak is Professor in the Department of Modern and Contemporary History of Ukraine at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, where he is also a Director of the Jewish Studies Program. He is a visiting professor at Central European University and an honorary professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Thousands of people took his free online course on the Modern History of Europe when it was offered on Prometheus platform.  Yaroslav Hrytsak regularly speaks at international conferences on issues of Holocaust remembrance; he is a co-director of German-Ukrainian Historical Commission.  He is also Chief Editor and founder of the scholarly journal “Ukraina Moderna,” and an author of a number of books and articles on history of Eastern Europe.  He has been listed among the 100 most influential Ukrainians.