The contribution of Kyrylo Trylovsky to the spread of Cossack traditions and symbolics of the 16th – 18th centuries in the Ukrainian Sich movement in Pokuttya at the beginning of the 20th century

Abstract

The research is aimed at studying the activities of the Sich movement in Pokuttya in the context of the politicization of the Ukrainian national movement at the beginning of the 20th century. The scientific novelty lies in the analytical understanding of the influence of Cossack traditions and symbolics on the activities of the Sich society cells in the region.

The aim of the article is to study the contribution of Kyrylo Trylovsky to the spread of Cossack traditions and symbolics of the 16th – 18th centuries in the Ukrainian Sich movement in Pokuttya at the beginning of the 20th century.

The methodology of this scientific study is founded on the principles historicism, objectivity, scientific rigor and systematic analysis. General scientific and special scientific methods were used, in particular comparative-historical (using processed sources to study the promotion of Cossack traditions and symbolics of the 16th – 18th centuries in the Ukrainian Sich movement in Pokuttya at the beginning of the 20th century), analytical-typological (to study elements of the Cossack past: Sich uniforms, postage stamps, flags of the early 20th century), historical reconstruction (for the restoration and reproduction of past events in the history of Ukraine of the 16th – 18th centuries. through the holding, with the assistance of Kyrylo Tryliovsky, of nationwide Sich holidays in Pokuttya at the beginning of the 20th century. which absorbed the best Cossack traditions), statistical (for collecting, processing, analyzing and interpreting statistical data related to the history of Pokuttya, quantitative indicators of the Sich holidays held in the region at the beginning of the 20th century, etc.). The comprehensive use of principles and methods contributed to a clear justification of scientific research through an appropriate source base.

As a result of the study, it was found that the Cossack customs and traditions that were absorbed by the Ukrainian Sich societies of Pokuttya are associated with the penetration of the Zaporizhian Cossacks into the territory of Western Podillia and Precarpathia at the end of the 16th – 17th centuries. The people passed down legends about the stay of the Cossacks in Pokuttya from mouth to mouth. Many local Ukrainians were descendants of cossacks who settled here after the liquidation of the Zaporozhian Sich and remembered their Cossack lineage.

The historical and geographical region of Pokuttya became a kind of center for the spread of Sich ideas in the territory of Eastern Galicia at the beginning of the 20th century, and therefore the spread of Cossack traditions and symbolics of the 16th – 18th centuries. The “father” of the Sich movement, Kyrylo Trylovsky, actively participated in the development and implementation of this cause. Under his leadership, despite constant obstacles and prohibitions from the authorities, projects with all the necessary attributes were developed and implemented, which included elements of the Cossack-Hetman era. The cells of the society were characterized by virtues typical of the Zaporizhian Sich – citizenship, respect for the law, equality, sociability, morality, and respect for one's own and others' dignity. Thanks to the efforts of K. Trylovsky, local Sich cells used Cossack clothing elements. Following the example of the Zaporozhian Sich, the inhabitants of the region had Cossack regalia. The nationwide Sich holidays incorporated the best traditions of the Cossack councils of the 16th – 18th centuries. A ceremonial procession was held, physical exercises were shown, and patriotic songs and speeches were made.

Dozens and hundreds of young residents of the region passed through the “Sich”, who retained the Sich's morals, high morality, and civic activism for the rest of their lives. They became the basis for the formation of the Ukrainian Sich riflemen, and took part in the liberation struggles of the Ukrainian people in 1918–1923.