The philosophical significance of cultural traditions in the Ukrainian drama theater

Abstract

Ukrainian dramatic theater was founded on the principles of ethnic Ukrainian culture and, throughout its evolution, has preserved the national characteristics and philosophy of the Ukrainian nation, as reflected in the fundamental components that constitute its cultural identity, particularly the Ukrainian worldview of theater practitioners and national dramaturgy. The relevance of this study stems from the identification of means of representing Ukrainian cultural identity on the stages of contemporary Ukrainian dramatic theater, specifically Ukrainian cultural traditions and their modifications, which may influence the process of self-awareness of the Ukrainian nation.

The aim of the article is to examine the fundamental component of the representation of cultural identity in Ukrainian dramatic theater through the cultural traditions of the Ukrainian nation. The methodological basis of the study is the phenomenological method for determining the essence of Ukrainian cultural traditions; the dialectical method is used to study the processes of transformation of cultural traditions in Ukrainian dramatic theater, as well as the deductive-inductive method and analysis. The study revealed the interconnection between the cultural traditions and the mythological worldview of the Ukrainian nation, examined the dynamics of cultural traditions in the evolution of Ukrainian dramatic theater, and identified the ways in which cultural traditions are represented on the stages of contemporary Ukrainian dramatic theaters. The conclusions indicate that cultural traditions can be considered an «immune system», a kind of DNA of Ukrainian dramatic theater, which actively manifests itself during times of instability and chaotic fluctuations, as well as throughout its evolution. These traditions may change form and manifest themselves to a greater or lesser extent depending on the conditions of current reality, yet preserving within itself the philosophy of the Ukrainian nation (worldview, spiritual aspirations, values, color, characteristic national traits, etc.).