TO THE SOURCES OF NATIONAL TRAUMA OR THE “BLACK SPOTS” OF THE “DARK MEMORY” IN VASYL SHKLIAR’S NOVEL <em>THE BLACK RAVEN</em>

Abstract

In suggested article the main object of research is the literary effort to reconstruct the national memory about the liberation struggle of Ukrainians at the beginning of soviet occupation. Chornyy Voron (The Black Raven) of Vasyl Shkliar became one of the first historical novels of contemporary literature which shows the example of new cultural interpretation of the traumatic memory of post-totalitarian society. The researcher pays a main attention to the new pages of national memory, which was totally discriminated in the soviet public rhetoric because of it national character. That’s why the struggle of national-liberation groups against the soviet power in 1917^th-1920^th wasn’t included into independent historical and cultural discourses. This memory was absent in the historical discourse because of its anti-communistic character.

In one episode from the past life the author of the novel demonstrates the very horrible methods of destroying of national consciousness of Ukrainians and the very brave efforts of it’s saving. It is very important that Shkliar had chosen for his artistic interpretation the period after official destroying the Cholodnoyarska republic by the red army. He not only shows that the struggle wasn’t ended, but it was continued by the bravest men, who stayed for the Ukrainian idea. Such position was called to improve, that that war was continued. It became a tradition and even after killing the last heroes it got chance to reborn in the next generations. With the help of literature author of The Black Raven returns the lost memory to Ukrainian society, which is finding for true past in the process of building its national identity.