UKRAINIAN CULTURAL STUDIES AS A “RISKY PROJECT”: REVISION OF THE POST-COLONIAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Abstract: The article explores the current state of Ukrainian cultural studies, tracing its origins from the late 1980s and its development within Ukrainian universities and the cultural market, with an emphasis on decolonisation processes. It seeks to validate discussions among representatives of various cultural studies schools (Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Ostroh), offering insights into the challenges and progress in the field. The analysis draws from two key discussions: the Vilnius conference “The Decolonisation of Education and Research in Belarus and Ukraine” (September 2023) and the UAC Lviv event “Culturology as a Risky Project” (December 2023). Despite the establishment of cultural studies following Ukraine obtaining independence in 1991, the field continues to grapple with its objectives in the context of ongoing social and cultural shifts. The article questions whether cultural studies can liberate itself from the legacy of colonised discourse and speculates on its future trajectory amid decolonisation efforts. By examining political and methodological factors, the authors conclude that Ukrainian cultural studies navigate a complex landscape of evolving educational paradigms and societal expectations, defining the unique experience of the “Culturology project” in Ukraine.
Keywords: Cultural Studies in Ukraine, Culturology, Decolonisation, Post-colonial Studies, Post-Soviet Thinking, Ukraine, Education, Ukrainian Association of Cultural Studies (UAC), Decolonising Practices.