Russia is aware of the power of literature, music and art. This message was distributed via the internet and mobile phones. As Roman Kalyn related: The only way to get the message out was for us to speak directly to the people during our concerts.Music was everywhere! People sang our songs “Spring will come” and “Political rock” on the barricades, they were dubbing this Orange Revolution a musical revolution. In 1989 Stretsenko wrote, ‘The power of popular songs lies in the fact that they can bring back those who have lost their nationality.’ And it was this ‘power’ that drove the Orange Revolution. As elsewhere in the Eastern Bloc rock became an important feature of the counter-culture. The Ukraine was then a part of the Soviet Union and the official language, Russian.
In 1971 Volodymir Ivasiuk became a figurehead for Ukrainian nationalism through his song Chervona Ruta. These developments are mirrored in events in the Ukraine since the 1980’s. At this time Rimsky-Korsakov’s stand on the Ukraine is clear composing both May Night and Christmas Eve at that time based on Gogol’s pointed Dikanka stories. Reports that a dangerous state existed in the Ukraine resulted in the Ems Ukaz banning all elements of Ukrainian culture. Following fears of separatist inclinations Valuev wrote, ‘No separate Little Russian language has existed, does exist, and can exist, ’. Many Ukrainian’s rose to significant positions and Russians began to resent them labelling them ‘Little Russian infestation’. Ukraine’s universities had been established before those in Russia. The Ukraine was culturally, linguistically and socially different to Russia. Irrespective of offers of European mediation Catherine 2nd pursued her territorial ambitions and annexed the Crimea. The Council of Pereiaslav resulted in the Ukraine becoming an integral part of Russia and the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca left the Crimea independent but gave Russia control of the key ports.
Today there is a focus on Russian actions in the Crimea and the Ukraine but is this unique.
0 kommentar(er)
