NATIONAL EDUCATION IN THE ACTIVITIES OF “PROSVITA” AT THE END OF THE 19TH– EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Abstract

The article explores the national educational activities of the “Prosvita” society in Ukraine at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The study analyzes the forms and means by which national upbringing was implemented under the conditions of colonial pressure from the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires. Particular attention is paid to key areas of the society’s activity, such as the establishment of reading rooms, the development of theatrical movements, the organization of educational courses, publishing initiatives, and the creation of a network of cultural and educational centers in cities and villages. The role of the Ukrainian intelligentsia, educators, and clergy in spreading enlightenment ideas is emphasized. The importance of the “Prosvita” movement in shaping national consciousness, preserving language, culture, and historical memory of the Ukrainian people is revealed. A comparative analysis of “Prosvita’s” activity in Western and Eastern Ukraine is carried out, taking into account different political contexts. The issue of forming national consciousness through cultural and educational work is of particular relevance in the modern context – amid educational reforms, intensified information warfare, and threats to national unity. Therefore, the study of the historical experience of «Prosvita’s» activity is important for rethinking effective practices of national education that can be adapted to current realities. It is proved that “Prosvita” became not only an educational but also a socio-political force that prepared the ground for future Ukrainian statehood. The findings allow for a deeper understanding of the potential of civic initiatives in the process of national education, which remains relevant in today’s Ukrainian society.