National Identity of Ukraine

National identity is a means by which cultural homogeneity is shared amongst citizens. It offers a sense of belonging and togetherness within countries. National identity can be represented through traditions, culture, language, religion, political features and so on. Defining the national identity of Ukraine is difficult to decipher because of the longstanding battle of sovereignty that the country has had to face for decades now. Despite gaining independence from the Soviet Union 30 years ago, Ukraine has struggled to forge its own path as a self-governing country. Through expressions of language and religion, along with a look back at the history between Ukraine and Russia, we are able to discover the true national identity of Ukraine.

The concept of national identity is not only defined by commonalities within the nation but also by distinguishing differences that separate said nation from other ethnic groups or nations. Anna Triandafyllidou, a sociologist and professor at Ryerson University, writes about the role of the “other” when defining national identity stating that “national identity becomes meaningful only through the contrast with others” (Triandafyllidou, 1998). But before we get into the “other,” we must first familiarize ourselves with the ideology of national identity. It can refer to the connection one feels to a nation regardless of citizenship status. National identity “infuses citizens with a sense of purposefulness, confidence, and dignity by allowing them to ‘feel at home’” (Keane 1994, p 186). By creating a sense of belonging to one state or nation, it allows people to create unity amongst each other which generates a cohesive nation that is able to work together towards a shared future. National identity is often expressed through language and religion, but it can also be demonstrated through national representations such as at Eurovision.

Eurovision continues to be a place for countries to express peace and togetherness through songs and performances. With these songs, countries are able to connect with other nations and share their story.  Ukraine’s performance in 2014 of “1944” by Jamala is an excellent representation of revealing history through song. In “1944,” Jamala sings about the mass deportation of the entire Crimean Tatar population from Crimea. Jamala, herself, is a Crimean Tatar who had not been home to see her parents and extended family since Russia’s annexation in 2014. Before the contest, Jamala stated that “[If I win,] it will mean that modern European people are not indifferent, and are ready to hear about the pain of other people and are ready to sympathize” (Stephens, 2016). Through her performance, the audience was able to grasp an idea of the suffering that her ethnic group had to go through with the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars which can relate to Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. This long-established battle of sovereignty that Ukraine has had to fight for plays a part in defining the country’s national identity.

Due to its complicated history with Russia and the Soviet Union, Ukraine has had a difficult time attempting to distance itself from these forces. While Ukraine strives to align with Western institutions as well as the European Union and NATO (Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization), the country is held back due to its struggle of balancing foreign relations and bridging internal divisions. In its simplest form, Ukraine is divided into two divisions, the East and the West. The eastern part of Ukraine, closest to Russia, speaks Russian and advocates for a better relationship with them. The western part of Ukraine consists of nationalists that speak Ukrainian and support the country’s integration with Europe. Due to this division in Ukraine, it is a struggle for the country to work towards an end goal of separating from Russia when a majority group in the east vouches for the opposite. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have existed since the breakup of the Soviet Union and only increased when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, claiming that it was protecting the Russian speaking citizens with strong loyalties towards Russia (Masters, 2021). Ukrainian families in Crimea were now confined by the Russian government and unable to see their family in Ukraine. This separation of Ukrainians makes it difficult for the country to unite as a whole under one national identity (Masters, 2021). While Ukraine is still working towards a fundamental national identity, smaller aspects such as speaking the Ukrainian language and following an orthodox religion contribute to the larger picture of national identity.

Ukraine’s struggle of converting citizens to speak solely the Ukrainian language plays a huge role in the country’s struggle for statehood and is a defining feature of the country’s national identity. “Despite the upgrade of Ukrainian following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the language has continued to play second fiddle to Russian throughout much of the country and in many aspects of everyday life” (Matviyishyn, 2020). Even now, Russian continues to be spoken throughout Ukraine and it’s common to hear both dialects spoken in the same sentence (Matviyishyn, 2020). Solidifying Ukrainian as the sole official language of Ukraine in 1989 is an example of Ukraine attempting to separate from Russia (Hajda, 2021). Another aspect of Ukraine’s national identity is religion. Previously part of the Russian Orthodox, Ukraine worked to formalize the independence of Ukraine’s Orthodox community in 1989 (Hajda, 2021). In solidifying their own church, Ukraine has broken off from Russia in this aspect as well. Through language and religion, Ukraine has worked to demonstrated their sense of national identity.

Adding on to the national identity of Ukraine, it’s important to note that the “othering” of Russia helps to generate and maintain that identity. Triandafyllidou argues that “the identity of a nation is defined and/or re-defined through the influence of ‘significant others,’ namely other nations or ethnic groups that are perceived to threaten the nation, it’s distinctiveness  authenticity, and/or independence” (Triandafyllidou, 1998). After learning about Ukraine and its history, its logical to identify Russia as the country’s main significant other.

In addition to recognizing Russia as an external significant other, the eastern area of Ukraine can be recognized as an internal significant other that contributes to the country’s national identity. In accordance with Triandafyllidou’s definition, the internal significant other is a minority group within Ukraine that abides with communist values and seeks for a better relationship with Russia. The eastern area of Ukraine consists of an ethnic minority of Russians that their own distinct culture, language, traditions, and religion. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ukraine’s external significant other can be identified as Russia. This external group is “deemed to challenge the territorial and/or cultural integrity of the nation from without” (Triandafyllidou, 1998). Russia is the dominant nation or ethnic group of a multinational state and they cause Ukraine to create a national identity separate from the them.

Defining the national identity of Ukraine requires us to take a look at the history of the country and its status of sovereignty. The country’s complicated past makes it difficult for Ukraine to move forward as self-governing and work to gain a solidified sense of national identity. From separating to the Soviet Union to now trying to separate from Russia, Ukraine is still working to forge its own path as an independent country. Although complicated and messy, Ukraine’s history of fighting with Russia is a key aspect in defining the country’s national identity. While not as immensely known, Ukraine still celebrates national identity through its citizens' pride of being part of a country that has been able to surmount to so much despite its past of being tied down. Since gaining independence in 1991 Ukraine has shown so much growth in everything including language and religion. Working forward, Ukraine strives for an alliance with the West as well as memberships with the NATO and EU.

Word count: 1295

*Revised Version*

References:

Jordan, P. (2014). The modern fairy tale: Na<on branding, na<onal iden<ty and the Eurovision Song Contest in Estonia. University of Tartu Press.

Hajda, L. A. (n.d.). Ukraine. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved February 3, 2022, from hSps:// www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine

Keane, J. (1994). Na-ons, na-onalism, and ci-zens in Europe. Interna<onal Social Science Journal, 46(140), 169-184. hSp://www.johnkeane.net/wp-content/uploads/1993/01/ na-ons_na-onalism_ci-zens.pdf

Masters, J, (2022, January 25). Ukraine: conflict at the crossroads of Europe and Russia. Council on Foreign Rela<ons. hSps://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/ukraine-conflict-crossroads-europe-and- russia

Matviyishyn, I, (2022, February 3). How Russia weaponizes the language issue in Ukraine. Atlan<c Council. hSps://www.atlan-ccouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/pu-n-is-the-only-winner-of- ukraines-language-wars/

Stephens, Heidi, (2022, January 25). Eurovision 2016: Ukraine’s Jamala wins with poli-cally charged 1944. The Guardian. hSps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/may/14/ukraine-wins- eurovision-jamala-1944

Triandafyllidou, A. (1998). Na-onal iden-ty and the “Other.” Ethnic and Racial Studies, 21(4), 593-612. hSps://web-s-ebscohost-com.proxy.seaSleu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? vid=1&sid=8b21e676-64e7-46ce-9c79-6ec12ffff432%40redis