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Created: 13 August 2014

On July 14 – August 8 summer school “Jewish History and Multiethnic Past: Discussions and Approaches to Study of Society, Culture and Heritage in Central and Eastern Europe” was held in the Centre for Urban History (Lviv). Eighteen young scholars were selected on a competitive basis to take part in the event, among them – Dr. Oleksandra Leonova, “Tkuma” Institute Research Associate. The school was aimed at drawing attention of the young researchers to multiethnic past of Ukraine. The school focused on the Jewish history and Ukrainian culture and Central-Eastern Europe in general; however it suggested more complex approach, representing different national, social and individual prospects. This particular approach was aimed at giving impulse to historians to implement interdisciplinary approaches and multidimensional aspects of the study of societies, which had multiethnic and multicultural constituent, to encourage introduction of new contexts in researches of the history of Ukraine.

The multiplicity of identifications and identities – either national, religious, social or governmental, that were changing in time and space, passing through the family, neighborhood, districts, institutions and cities, in general – was integrated in seminars and lectures. Part of the program dealt with mass and usually violent changes in XX c., which took place in Central-Eastern Europe and left us competitive legacies which require research, study, analysis, interpretation, both public discussion and perpetuation.

Four-week program is a great opportunity to deepen knowledge and familiarize oneself with the latest approaches and debates in the study and teaching of multicultural heritage societies. Thus the school coordinators try to encourage young historians and humanists in the realization of the new research projects on the complex multi-ethnic past of Ukraine and application of the new methods and interpretations. “It’s important not only to raise awareness for destroyed and resettled communities, which populated the territory of modern Ukraine and the wider Central-Eastern region until World War II, but also to form new cultural and historical narratives including wider public discussions”, – the coordinators say.

Every day, except weekends, the participants attended: two classes on Yiddish and two classes on the history courses proposed. The classes were held in the form of lectures, seminars, debates, demonstrations and discussions of the feature and documentary films. For each course the textbook was prepared and sent to the participants the month and a half before the event, to make them ready for the classes.

The program also included guest lectures, discussions, film screening and excursions in Lviv and historic towns of Galicia. Two one-day seminars were planned as well – discussions on the role of museums in context of rich multiethnic past of Ukraine and challenges and perspectives in teaching multiethnic history of Ukraine in schools.

The program of summer school was implemented by lecturers from USA, Canada and Europe. School participants took lecture courses by Prof. Yohanan Petrovsky Shtern (Northwestern University, Illinois, USA) “Jews in Western Europe, 1772 – 1991”, Prof. Serhy Yekelchyk (University of Victoria, Canada) “Multiculturalism in Ukraine’s Revolutionary Age (1917 – 1930)”, Prof. John-Paul Himka (University of Alberta, Canada), Prof. Tarik Cyril Amar (Columbia University, USA). During the month the school students also took a language course of Yiddish, which was held by the true expert Dr. Joanna Lisek (Wroclaw University, Poland).

The course program included discussion and analysis of historic films, meetings with research workers and numerous round-table discussions. The lecture on Polish-Jewish relations during World War II in general and the role of the “navy-blue” and Polish police in extermination of Jews in particular, by Polish historian Yan Grabovsky was particularly interesting.

The tour program of the Fifth summer school “Lviv city tour “to the ZUNR localities” was very informative, as well as tour to Drohobych and Boryslav.

Dr. Leonova points out that the summer school opens new horizons for self-development and moreover the school became a great platform for establishment of the new professional contacts.

By the end of the summer school the participants received certificates.