Ukrainian – Polish academic cooperation in the sphere of humanities

Information from scientific report at the meeting of the Bureau of Department of History, Philosophy and Law of NAS of Ukraine, November 27, 2014

Abstract

The article analyses cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian academic institutions in the field of hu-manities in the recent two decades. It focuses on archaeological research of the early settlements on the territories that are now Ukraine and mutual cultural influences of Prykarpattia and Volhynia population, as well as archaeological reconstruction of Neolithic and Bronze Age migration routes conducted by scholars of both countries. The article also examines main directions and issues of historical research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Ukraine and universities of both countries with an emphasis on problematic issues that attract attention in both societies. It summarizes results of ethnologists, linguists, literature and culture students research on transformations of traditional culture on the borderland and specific features of ethnic and cultural integration of Ukrainian and Polish population. The argument is made about the necessity to resume activities of the Polish-Ukrainian Historical Committee affiliated with PAS and NAS of Ukraine. The article suggests that Ukrainian academia and authorities should adopt the best practices of Polish Institute of National Remembrance regarding dealing with decommunization of historical memory, commemorating victims of totalitarian regimes, conducting and legal expert evaluations.