Myron Korduba’s journalism on the pages of Biuletyń Polsko-Ukraiński: ideology and issues

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of this article is a comprehensive reflection on the socio-political issues addressed by M. Korduba on the pages of Biuletyn Polsko-Ukraiński. The research methodology is based on the combination of principles traditional for historiographic works (historicism, objectivity, holism and systematicity, as well as a value approach to the object of study) and general scientific (comparison, generalization, analysis and synthesis) and special-historical (historical-genetic, historical-comparative, historical-typological and historical-psychological) methods of scientific work. The scientific novelty of the article: Based on a wide range of sources, the article reconstructs the specific features of M. Korduba’s collaboration with the Biuletyn Polsko-Ukraiński. Conclusions. In conclusion, it should be noted that M. Korduba’s cooperation with Biuletyn Polsko-Ukraiński was driven by the need to inform the new authorities of Eastern Galicia about the Ukrainian perspective on resolving numerous problems in interethnic dialogue. With appropriate tact and historical argumentation, the historian countered stereotypes created by intellectuals of the people's democratic camp about their eastern neighbors as an ethnicity incapable of full political and cultural life. Decisively opposing such views, M. Korduba convincingly argued for the undeniable right of the largest national minority in the Polish state to have a native-language higher education system, civic organizations free from repressive oversight, and an uncensored press. At the same time, the Galician historian emphasized the danger of Polish officials treating citizens of Ukrainian origin as potential enemies of the reborn Polish state. M. Korduba pointed out that abandoning these consequences of Polish-Ukrainian armed confrontation was a necessary precondition for the emergence of an equitable interethnic dialogue. The publicist believed this would foster the creation of a community united by shared interests. As a historian, M. Korduba understood that only such logic in political decision-making could ensure the stability of the Polish state, which stood between Soviet and German totalitarianisms. As we know, the historian’s appeals did not convince Polish intellectuals, which had tragic consequences for our nations during the Second World War.