Stepan Fentsyk's public and political activities during the Hungarian occupation of Transcarpathia (1938-1944).

Abstract

This article is devoted to the activities of one of the most controversial politicians of Transcarpathia in the first half of the 20th century, Stepan Fentsyk. Russophile, fascist, politician, priest, composer, journalist – this is not a complete list of the activities of this odious figure in the history of Transcarpathia. However, the article's primary purpose is to highlight his political and ideological transformations and activities during the Hungarian occupation of 1938-1944. In particular, it examines his collaborationist activities as a member of the Czechoslovak parliament in favour of Hungary in the late 1930s. The article also analyses the politician's areas of interest as a member of the Hungarian parliament, his national and cultural orientations, and his place in the region's political life. A separate section examines his attempt, as a Greek Catholic priest, to take a leading role in the spiritual life of the region. An essential part of the study is devoted to his pro-fascist and anti-Semitic views and their development during the period under review. Despite the diversity of Stepan Fentsyk's interests and activities, most failed. His attempts to gain autonomy for the region, make it the centre of the pro-fascist Russophile (anti-Soviet) movement in Central Europe, and become bishop of the Mukachevo Greek Catholic diocese failed, and the politician himself effectively became a tool for promoting pro-Hungarian interests in the region. At the same time, despite the politician's apparent loyalty to Hungary, the authorities had a negative attitude towards Stepan Fentsyk, and his activities were restricted and interpreted as dangerous and harmful to the interests of the Hungarian state in the region. Towards the end of the war, Stepan Fentsyk again tried to enlist the support of the new Soviet authorities. Still, despite these efforts, he was arrested and charged with anti-Soviet and anti-people activities and, by the verdict of the Transcarpathian Regional Court, was executed in 1946.