Organizzazione dei Nazionalisti Ucraini (OUN): tra storia e cultura della memoria 1929-2018

Abstract

The following work aims to analyze the role of the OUN (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists) in the path of independence of Ukraine, in particular during the two revolutions, 2004 and 2014. The topic is treated in three chapters. The first one builds a general framework, a brief history of the organization and its ideology. But more importantly, its link with the German Nazis and the causes of the Ukrainian-Polish conflict during the Second World War will be focused, since these are the main reasons why the OUN is still considered a controversial organization today. The second chapter shows the activity of the organization in the context of the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2014. Finally, the last chapter examines the OUN's impact on the country from both historical and cultural points of view, but also the meaning of the symbols and choirs in the new historical context and the commemoration of heroes. Undoubtedly the OUN is a phenomenon that fits perfectly into the global framework of nations trying to gain democratic rights and statehood in the second half of the twentieth century. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze it to understand the formation of the Ukrainian state. Indeed, it is a revision of history that allows Ukraine to reconstruct its national history and restore its historical face. The panorama of studies relating to this issue is not very broad, also since the archives on the Ukrainian insurgents were reserved for about seven decades. Actually, there is a total lack of consensus on the role of this organization and its members, considered by some as terrorists and heroes by others. For this reason, the Euromaidan of 2014 was labelled by some as a "fascist" demonstration. So, the purpose of this work is to analyze the complexity of this phenomenon, availing primarily of archival documents that only came to light in 2015, to better understand historical truth by distinguishing myths from reality.