MODERN NATIONALISM - FROM THE WAR TO A CULTURAL REVOLUTION

Undoubtedly,  quite encouraging is the fact that modern Ukrainian nationalists have expanded their activities beyond the military and political sphere.

Of course, various nationalist organizations had worked actively in intellectual and cultural area long before the events of Maidan. But now we can note a significant revitalization in a cultural field even despite the war. Lectures, discussion clubs, literary and film clubs - all this has become one of the attributes of modern right movement in Ukraine.

First initiative that worth noting here is the Osvitnya Assembleya by the C14 movement. In fact it is a lecture club, which covers a wide range of topics from policy to current trends in modern science, economy and social sphere.

Another nationalist organisation, whose efforts in promotion of intellectual, cultural and ideological development we have to mention here is the Azov. Currently, the movement's major achievement on intellectual and cultural front may be considered the establishment of the Orientir publishing house, which has already released several book series, including reissues the classics of Ukrainian nationalist thought, memoirs of the war veterans, and fundamental works the world's greatest philosophical and political thinkers.

Recently its representatives presented the first issue of the NOVA magazine. Its leading conceptual line is based on the principles of archeofuturism, that combines loyalty to the principles of traditional society with the realities of modern civilization. 

The Plomin literary club is another major cultural center of the nationalist movement. However, the club is known not only by book launches, but also by regular lectures on outstanding figures, intellectuals, philosophers and thinkers of Occident civilization, such as Julius Evola, Dmytro Dontsov, Rene Guenon, Friedrich Nietzsche, Yukio Mishima, Howard Lovecraft, Mircea Eliade and many others. There are not only the Azov members, who conduct the theme elections, but also guest lecturers, among them modern Ukrainian philosophers, scientists, journalists, professional translators of foreign literature. 

The Plomin hosts poetry readings. In addition the club includes a library that is regularly updated with serious ideological literature.

Another Azov's cultural initiative is the recently opened EVROPA Cine Club. The club's name was chosen not by chance. The films represented there show various aspects of a real European spirit. 

Some people wonder why nationalists are paying so much attention to all these things. But the answer is obvious, since nationalism itself is an ideological struggle first of all. In addition it is impossible to reach truly positive changes in policy without previous positive changes in people's minds. Intellectually developed youth is the key engine of all national rebirth. Another key point is that the above mentioned educative projects have been launched by the people of conservative mind, since it is essential to show the difference between the truly valuable things and modern simulacrum of the ones.

Despite all obstacles the process of building of the Ukrainian national state continuing. It is ongoing, first of all, where nationalists' initiatives have been working - from volunteer military units and sports clubs to intellectual and artistic clubs.

Original by Dmytro SULIMA