LITERATURE AS A FACTOR IN THE CONSOLIDATION OF RESEARCH SHEVELOV

Abstract

In his plenty literary works famous Ukrainian scientist Y. Shevelov repeatedly thought about essence of Ukrainian literature as consolidating factor of national life, which role was growing in adverse and dangerous periods for existence of the nation. In prevailing form Shevelov’s views about mission of Ukrainian national literature were shown during the period of Ukrainian Artistic Organization – association of Ukrainian writers in emigration, which existed in 1945-1949. To Shevelov’s opinion, the way to international recognition of Ukrainian literature goes through unique and organic originality of national writing. Scientist considered that main direction of literature development was creation of nationally organic style as spiritually-cultural affinity of artists, orientation on the best samples of worldwide writing and overcoming the inferiority complex. Y.Shevelov always was an irreconcilable fighter with provinciality, without whose breakthrough it is impossible to create a modern Ukrainian culture. With the scholar’s pen provincialism appears as an internal psychic complex, which struck more than one generation of Ukrainian leaders. Exactly with the cultural activities of the MUR Shevelov linked a radical attempt to overcome the old complex of provincialism, without which it is impossible to effectively implement the Ukrainian state project. The researcher argued that the historical merit of the MUR is not only that the figures in this environment opened these vital problems for the existence and development of the nation, but also tried to solve them. We can argue that Y.Shevelov recognized the enormous role of Ukrainian writing in the processes of national consolidation. This was especially true for emigrants detached from mainland Ukraine. But only modern literature could carry out such a mission , which was able to take its place in the world cultural process. Therefore, there was a need to create a modern concept of the age. The idea of a national organic style proposed by Y.Shevelov was the result of the scholar's reflections on the prospects for the creation of literature that is adequate to the demands of the present. The idea of a national organic style became the reaction of the Ukrainian intellectuals, which was found outside the Motherland, on the long-term destruction of the Ukrainian world, the brutal denationalization of culture. Also, they faced the problem of preserving their identity from inevitable assimilation influences. The concept of the researcher took into account the need for the development of Ukrainian writing in the directionof the latest search for world culture without losing its national essence. Y.Shevelov's views on the consolidating role of Ukrainian literature still relevant.

Key words: denationalization, Ukrainian literature, emigration, national organic style.