ABSTRACT
Over the course of the last several centuries, Ukrainian culture has been strongly influenced by historical and political factors, which have reflected both a Western and an Eastern pull. In the twentieth century in particular, despite the changing political situations, there was an ongoing desire or temptation for Ukrainians to renew ties with Western Europe. However, during the Russian imperial and Soviet periods, history provided a lengthy consignment to the Russian sphere of influence, in reality creating a “containment” for most of Ukraine. Nevertheless, from time to time, these two poles have been supplemented by a third, less visible option, which suggested its own, or a “nativist” approach.
