UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
The Historical and Literary Background to Ukrainian-Spanish Relations
Description:
CIUS Seminar Audio Part 1 and 2.
On February 12, Oleh Romanyshyn, who is currently completing his Ph.D. in the field of Spanish-Ukrainian literary relations, gave a seminar entitled, "The Historical and Literary Background to Ukrainian- Spanish Relations."
Although Spain and Ukraine have never enjoyed formal relations, mutual awareness and contacts between the inhabitants of both countries (which probably began in the fifth century) were important in particular periods in history. There were many lines of communication: military, political, religious, educational, cultural, and personal. There is good evidence that during the Rus’ period of Ukraine’s history (particularly in the ninth and tenth centuries) a Slavic element played a significant military, political, and cultural role in Arabic Spain, and that Rus’ repeatedly came into military and commercial contact with Spanish Arabs. With the rise of the Cossack State, Ukraine became an important factor in European affairs, particularly in the seventeenth century: 1) as a tacit ally of Spain against the Ottoman Empire, and 2) as a bulwark against militant European Catholicism championed in the East by Poland, whose policies also drew strong support from Spain. Last but not least, trade in Christian slaves was always an important medium of continuous contact between Spaniards and Ukrainians until the eighteenth century. With the disappearance in 1775 of the last vestiges of Ukraine's independence, contacts with Spain became sporadic at best, and occurred on a personal and cultural level. After World War II a small Ukrainian community settled in Madrid. These historical and cultural relations between both countries can be looked upon as a background to what we may now call a "Spanish School" in Ukrainian literature.
Found in CIUS Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 2 (Spring 1979)
On February 12, Oleh Romanyshyn, who is currently completing his Ph.D. in the field of Spanish-Ukrainian literary relations, gave a seminar entitled, "The Historical and Literary Background to Ukrainian- Spanish Relations."
Although Spain and Ukraine have never enjoyed formal relations, mutual awareness and contacts between the inhabitants of both countries (which probably began in the fifth century) were important in particular periods in history. There were many lines of communication: military, political, religious, educational, cultural, and personal. There is good evidence that during the Rus’ period of Ukraine’s history (particularly in the ninth and tenth centuries) a Slavic element played a significant military, political, and cultural role in Arabic Spain, and that Rus’ repeatedly came into military and commercial contact with Spanish Arabs. With the rise of the Cossack State, Ukraine became an important factor in European affairs, particularly in the seventeenth century: 1) as a tacit ally of Spain against the Ottoman Empire, and 2) as a bulwark against militant European Catholicism championed in the East by Poland, whose policies also drew strong support from Spain. Last but not least, trade in Christian slaves was always an important medium of continuous contact between Spaniards and Ukrainians until the eighteenth century. With the disappearance in 1775 of the last vestiges of Ukraine's independence, contacts with Spain became sporadic at best, and occurred on a personal and cultural level. After World War II a small Ukrainian community settled in Madrid. These historical and cultural relations between both countries can be looked upon as a background to what we may now call a "Spanish School" in Ukrainian literature.
Found in CIUS Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 2 (Spring 1979)
Author:
CIUS
Publisher:
CIUS
Date:
February 12, 1979
Contributor:
Oleh Romanyshyn
Language:
English, Ukrainian
Original Format:
Magnetic tape, audio cassette
Files
Collection
Citation
CIUS, “The Historical and Literary Background to Ukrainian-Spanish Relations,” CIUS-Archives, accessed November 21, 2024, https://cius-archives.ca/items/show/1982.
