Mykhailo Drahomanov
Meet the Ukrainian political theorist, economist, and philosopher whose ideas about Ukrainian nationalism and social democracy helped to shape the modern Ukrainian nation
Born into a gentry family of Cossack origin, Drahomanov studied at Kyiv University, where in 1864 he became a private docent, and in 1873, a docent, lecturing on ancient history.
Mykhaylo Drahomanov was the uncle of a famous poetess, Lesya Ukrainka. He greatly influenced her intellectual and political development. Throughout her life, Lesya Ukrainka considered Mykhailo Dragomanov her mentor and teacher. He introduced her to the ideas of Western liberalism and socialism and encouraged her to develop her independent thinking.
Drahomanov by Online publication "Reporter" © 2017CFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Writer, historian, literary scientist, and folklorist, Drahomanov was also very active publicly, a part of societies that formed the perception of the Ukrainian movement. His writings were translated into many languages, including English, German, and French.
While pursuing an academic career, Drahomanov contributed to the founding of the Ukrainian secret society, Hromada of Kyiv (later known as the Old Hromada), and rose to a position of leadership within it. In 1859, in the Russian documents, Old Hromada was named "the center of the Ukrainophilia movement." The community included various scholars, such as ethnographers and anthropologists, statistical scientists, and legal theorists.
Mykhailo Drahomanov by Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine. ©2001 All Rights Reserved. Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies.CFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
In Hromada’s magazines, Drahomanov called for the autonomy of Ukraine, democratization, and educational evolution, which should have been ensured by close ties with Europe.
In May 1876, Alexander II issued the Ems Ukaz (Ems decree), which prohibited all Ukrainian language publications and public performances, shut down the Ukrainian Geographical Society, and formally banished prominent Ukrainian nationalists, including Drahomanov himself. The Old Hromada responded by appointing Drahomanov to represent the Ukrainian national movement abroad. In May 1876, Drahomanov left Ukraine.
Mykhailo Drahomanov by Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine. ©2001 All Rights Reserved. Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies.CFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
The scholar moved to Geneva, where he founded a printing house to freely publish Ukrainian literature and political works. During his emigration, he worked actively in the political field, guided by the idea of Ukraine's freedom and its connectedness with Europe.
In numerous works and the Hromada newspaper, Mykhailo Drahomanov described his views on the Ukrainian national movement and its development and declared the need to make it more European. He actively advocated Ukrainian culture, most of all Ukrainian literature and writers. Drahomanov also supported political movements inside Ukraine, especially in the Western part of the country.
Drahomanov spent his last years working as a professor at Sophia University in Bulgaria and passed away in 1895.
Drahomanov by Monument to M. Dragomanov. Posted by a user under the nickname Ihor on the Misto.ua portalCFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Drahomanov's works were banned in Ukraine during the Soviet era. His ideas had a significant impact on the development of Ukrainian nationalism and socialism. He is now widely respected as a leading thinker and champion of Ukrainian rights.
Text: based on text byBorys Filonenko
Original text from the album of the Prominent Ukrainians project, published jointly by Pictoric Illustrators Club, Pavlo Gudimov Ya Gallery Art Center, Artbook Publishing House and Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Photo:
©2001 All Rights Reserved. Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies
