Two years following the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukrainians continue to exhibit remarkable resistance and resilience in the defense of their country, despite facing acute shortages of munitions, decisive aircraft, and personnel. However, beneath the surface of the heroic imagery portraying an "unbroken" or "undefeated" nation, a society deeply wounded by the ongoing conflict slowly comes into focus, grappling with the staggering human cost of war.
While acknowledging the steadfast resistance, resourcefulness, and self-sacrifice of ordinary and extraordinary Ukrainians, this year's Ukrainicum aims to retrospectively examine the past two years, seeking to reflect on and assess the short- and long-term consequences of Ukraine's continued struggle against destruction.
Through seminars focusing on the social, economic, ecological, and psychological impacts of the war, Greifswalder Ukrainicum will also, in its tradition, dedicate special attention to exploring how Ukrainian culture responds to, reflects upon, and navigates through this catastrophic event that marks its recent history.
Simultaneously, our stereoscopic interdisciplinary approach will gain depth by drawing insights from the experiences of other dramatic – whether hot or frozen – conflicts and battlefields of contemporary times, such as the wars in ex-Yugoslavia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Israel, or Belarus. This comparative perspective not only places the Ukrainian case in a transnational and global context but also offers valuable insights into the dynamics of modern military conflicts – their past, present, while sparking discussions about their endings and future in the aftermath of apocalyptic events.
All attendees will get a chance to work intensively on these topics for one week in Greifswald. During this time, they will also have multiple possibilities to network with other junior and experienced academics and scholars.