Ukrainian national identity – still difficult independence

Abstract

In this work, the authors discuss the forming process of Ukrainian national identity from the 8th century to recent times, based on preserved histographic sources. Particular attention is focused on portraying territorial and cultural identity on the basis of historical relativism. The study also highlights the phenomena of mythologising Ukrainian history and the formation of the Ukrainian national movement using historical sources from cultural assets, in particular Ukrainian literature. The work presents relative historical facts, which the authors at the end subjectively evaluate from the point of view of the brotherly Polish nation and Polish-Ukrainian relations throughout the centuries.