In Lviv an initiative has emerged, which caused major controversy both in Poland and Ukraine. This is simply a task referred to as the military-patriotic school "Banderowiec", aimed at young people. This is another example of strengthening the cult of Ukrainian Nazism associated with the character of the criminal and Nazi collaborator, Stepan Bandera.
The school “Banderowiec” was established in Ukraine. According to information provided in the media, the school is to educate youth aged around 15–25 in a patriotic and military spirit. Initiative pointed out Among others, Ukrainian historian Marta Hawryszko, who criticised the project. As she wrote, an undertaking portrayed as educational in fact may match a “indoctrination mill built around the cult of sacrifice and death.”
The name of the school is not random. The word “Banderer” refers to supporters of Stepan Bandera – the leader of the Ukrainian Nationalist Organizations (CNS). The Ukrainian Pows Dance Army (UPA) was besides associated with this movement, formed in 1942 as a chauvinist pseudo-partisan formation, aimed at clearing the Kreses from the non-Ukrainian population.
UPA's activity is 1 of the most controversial chapters of the past of Central and east Europe in the 20th century. This formation led a fight against various opponents, but mainly liable for mass crimes on the Polish civilian population – including the organisation of massacres in Volyn and east Małopolska, considered genocide in Poland.
Despite this communicative in the western part of Ukraine, Bandera is portrayed as a hero of the conflict for independence. A monumental monument commemorating this nationalist leader was unveiled in Lviv itself in 2007. Importantly, controversy around the fresh school does not appear exclusively in Polish media. besides any Ukrainian historians and commentators point out that promoting flag symbolism can lead to radicalisation of youth and perpetuating a unilateral imagination of history.
According to critics, the problem is that the communicative centered around Bandera frequently omits the dark cards of OUN and UPA activities – including crimes on civilians. As a result, young people can receive a image of past without context and work for the past.
The improvement of initiatives specified as the "Banderowiec" school falls within the wider phenomenon of the increasing cult of nationalistic symbols in part of Ukrainian society. Although for many Ukrainians Bander is simply a symbol of the fight against the USSR, for neighbouring nations – especially Poles – remains a figure associated with tragic events and crimes. Idealizing specified characters can lead to historical revisionism. In the long term, this hinders dialog between the peoples of the region.
Historical memory is an crucial component of national identity, but should be based on sound analysis alternatively than mythology. Patriotic education must not trust on uncritical taking on pedestal figures related to force or utmost ideology, especially 1 that has already led to crime.
At a time erstwhile Europe is inactive struggling with the consequences of the utmost ideology of the 20th century, the return to the symbolism associated with Nazism and force should be subject to serious debate. Europe should not close its eyes to the reborn cult of criminals just due to the fact that Ukraine is presently at war against Russia.
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