Recently a referendum has been held in the Netherlands, concerning whether the Dutch government should or should not ratify an association agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. Immense...Show moreRecently a referendum has been held in the Netherlands, concerning whether the Dutch government should or should not ratify an association agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. Immense political campaigns ensued, involving politicians, funding and political narratives from a multitude of countries. This same association agreement caused a revolution within Ukraine during the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. While the then president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, was supposed to sign the association agreement with Europe, he instead decided to sign a new trade-treaty and loan with the Russian Federation. This decision sparked (student) protests in Ukraine's capital Kiev in November, which ended in a full fledged revolution by February 2014 that would eventually debouch into a civil war, still afflicting the country two years later. Although in November mostly students took to the streets, during the months to follow people from different lineages and classes with a variety of political ideas would team up to make sure the government which they deemed corrupt would resign. During these protests the portraits, and the name, of one historical figure would often come up. The figure in question is Stepan Bandera. During what has been named the EuroMaidan protests, Bandera portraits, alongside the wolfsangel, a former SS symbol, and the slogan “Слава Україні! Героям слава” (meaning: Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!) became more and more prominent especially among, but not limited to, ultra-nationalist protesters, often affiliated with the political party Svoboda (Freedom), or Praviy Sektor (Right Sector). Stepan Bandera, a political activist and leader of a militant group called the OUN-B during the 1930's until the end of the 1950's was mostly regarded as a (war)criminal in the Soviet Union, and is still regarded as such by many Russians and Eastern Ukrainians. By many Western Ukrainians he is however regarded a hero, and a symbol for an independent Ukraine. Not only was he hailed during, and after, the EuroMaidan revolution, he was awarded with the title of Hero of Ukraine in 2010, which has sparked many debates among academics, politicians and 'common folk'. The controversy surrounding this person has lead to the research question this thesis sets out to answer, being: Although regarded as a (war)criminal during Soviet times, Stepan Bandera has reached the status of national hero of contemporary Ukraine. Considering a country in conflict with not only varying political ideologies but also clashing identities/cultures a question arises: Why is someone previously regarded a (war)criminal now perceived as national hero, why is the role of this controversial person suddenly so important for modern Ukrainian ideologies, to summarize, what is Stepan Bandera's legacy and its impact on modern Ukrainian identity, culture and mentality?Show less
This thesis examines the role the Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera played in the building of a Ukrainian state. Firstly, it pays attention to Bandera's life and death. Afterwards, attention has...Show moreThis thesis examines the role the Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera played in the building of a Ukrainian state. Firstly, it pays attention to Bandera's life and death. Afterwards, attention has been paid to the 'Bandera myths', the 'Hero of Ukraine' award and the Euromaidan protests.Show less
