Local History in the Ukrainian Historiography of the 19th and 20th century

Abstract

This article examined the relationship between the national narrative and local history in nineteenth and twentieth century Ukrainian historiography. It shows that, although thematically something that could be defined as «local history» was present in the Ukrainian historiography from its inception, its status was never the same as that of professional history subordinated to the national narrative. Following the collapse of Soviet Union local history has finally appeared as a serious methodological alternative appealing to the professional historians. This article examined the relationship between the national narrative and local history in nineteenth and twentieth century Ukrainian historiography. It shows that, although thematically something that could be defined as «local history» was present in the Ukrainian historiography from its inception, its status was never the same as that of professional history subordinated to the national narrative. Following the collapse of Soviet Union local history has finally appeared as a serious methodological alternative appealing to the professional historians.