Parliamentary activity of Oleksandr Barvinskyi at the end of the 19th century. (based on material from the newspaper «Ruslan»)

Abstract

The article examines the parliamentary activity of Oleksandr Barvinskyi, a famous Ukrainian politician and public figure, in the Vienna Parliament at the end of the 19th century. The main source for the analysis is the materials of the newspaper "Ruslan", which reflect the political atmosphere and events of that time.

The purpose of the research is an in-depth analysis of the political activity of Oleksandr Barvinskyi, his legislative initiatives and speeches in the Vienna Parliament. The authors emphasize the key aspects of Barvinskyi's activities, which include the protection of the rights of Ukrainians, the development of education and culture, as well as the support of socio-economic reforms. The study reveals the importance of his contribution to the strengthening of Ukrainian national consciousness and political culture.

Methods. The study employs methods of historical-political analysis, content analysis of the Ruslan newspaper publications, the comparative-historical method, as well as elements of discourse analysis to examine Barvinskyi’s rhetoric and its reception within the Ukrainian milieu.

Results. It has been established that Oleksandr Barvinskyi, as a representative of the moderate narodovtsi movement, sought to reconcile loyalty to the Austrian state with the gradual acquisition of rights for Ukrainians in Galicia. His parliamentary activities were systematically covered in the pages of «Ruslan», with a focus on defending Ukrainian educational, cultural, and political rights. The publications highlight his role in shaping Ukrainian parliamentary strategy within the multiethnic environment of the empire.

Conclusions. In the public discourse of «Ruslan», Barvinskyi appears as a consistent and constructive politician who attempted to harmonize relations between Ukrainians and the Austrian authorities while advocating for the national interests of his people. His parliamentary work demonstrated the importance of Ukrainian participation in the empire’s legitimate political institutions to safeguard ethnonational rights.