Unity is not only the unity of territories, but also the unity of thoughts, actions and aspirations for a better future

On January 20, 2025 at 12:00, a solemn meeting of the SSS of the Department of Social Sciences “VIA SCIENTIARUM” dedicated to the Day of Unity of Ukraine was held on the Teams platform. The students and teachers present listened to the reports of the scientific director of the society, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Tetiana Podkupko “Unity, Unity of Ukraine: History and Modernity” and the report of a 2nd year student, 8th group of the Medical Faculty Karina Voloshyna “From West to East: Unity of the Ukrainian People”.

The idea of ​​unity originates from the princely era, when Ukraine-Rus was a union of lands with a center in Kyiv. It became the center of spiritual, political and cultural unity. The Tale of Bygone Years enshrines the ideal of a unified state: “It is good when brothers live together.” Princes, in particular Volodymyr the Great and Yaroslav the Wise, contributed to strengthening the unity of the lands through Christianity, common laws, and cultural values. After the collapse of Kyivan Rus, the Galicia-Volhynia state became the heir to the idea of ​​sobornosty. Danylo Galicia was a symbol of the struggle for the unification of Ukrainian lands and the preservation of the political tradition of unity even in times of external threats.

During the Cossack-Hetman state, a new rise in the unity of the people took place, and a political nation was formed. During the National Liberation War, Ukrainians united around a common goal – the creation of an independent, self-sufficient, unified state. The Ruin period emphasized the importance of consolidating ideas for preserving statehood.

In the 19th century, the idea of ​​sobornosty was revived in new conditions, when Ukrainian lands were part of different empires.

January 22, 1919 was the culmination of the idea of ​​Unity: the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UNR) and the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic (ZUNR) united into a single state. This was a symbolic step that emphasized the importance of realizing the unification of Ukrainian lands.

The symbol of Unity in Ukraine in modern times was the “living chain” from Kyiv to Lviv in 1990. The restoration of Ukraine’s independence in 1991 was the result of a century of efforts, when the idea of ​​the unity of Ukraine became the basis for the consolidation of society.

The events of the Revolution of Dignity and the modern struggle against Russian aggression demonstrate that Unity is not only territorial integrity, but also spiritual unity. Spiritual unity through common values ​​​​- language, culture, traditions, common historical memory.

The Unity of Ukraine is not only a historical tradition, but also a powerful national idea that consolidates Ukrainians in the most difficult times.

Tetiana Leonidivna Podkupko,
Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Social Sciences
of Odesa National Medical University.