“Battles for the past” or mediatization of historical policy and historical propaganda in modern Ukraine

The aim of this article is to analyse the process of historical mediatization of policy and historical propaganda in Ukraine. The resource base of this research were the materials from the Ukraine central periodical publications with different political content, which have relevant web-pages. In addition, certain media and textual materials from popular Ukraine TV channels were also analyzed. At the same time, authors of this article forego the analysis of the network media (social networking, blogs and web forums) and audio, video materials, which demand separate and special review. The subject of this research is the historical narrative in modern Ukraine mass media. Media resources act as effective mechanisms to implement historical policy and historical propaganda and also are an important part of commemorative practices. The construction of national and state identity in Ukraine presupposes division within the framework of the common past with neighbors, extension of the national sense and establishment of complimentary view on the “own history”. Such a way supposes “the war for the past”, which in turn split into the separate “historical battles”. The contest and character of such counteractions depend on several reasons, which include political conjunctures, social enquiry, duration of common history, presence or absence of tragic moments. To date, it is not a surprise that the main “historical antagonist” in Ukrainian historical narrative is Russia as having different historical personas. Modern Ukrainian mass media authors in different historical materials underline a range of “historical battles”, that is, those problems of common history, which generate significant social and political resonance, which is characterized by high intensity of discussion, categorical and irreconcilable assessments and opinions. In particular, “battle for the statehood”, “battle for the territory”, “battle for the nation”, “battle for the language”, “battle for the culture and science”, “battle for the symbols”, “battle for heroes and anti-heroes”, “battle for the victory and defeats” are exist in historical narrative of Ukrainian mass media. Thematic areas of “historical battles” are not something stable and static. In contrast, their boundaries are blurred and their context always mixes and intertwines. Except this, the changers of socio-political situation actualize different historical themes, turning them into new “battles for the past”. Statements on the common past of politicians of both countries reinforce the polemic fuse and mutual rejection. To date, unfortunately, authors do not see the indicators of the imminent onset of not even peace, but at least a temporary pause in the “historical battles”. Obviously, only the political crisis resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian relationship can reduce the intensity of “historical battles”, by renouncing the “language of hatred” and overly politicized assessments of the common history.

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