Students and Euromaidan - Category Archive - Contemporary Ukraine Research Forum

EuroMaidan: Revolution of Selfless, Generous and Fearless Ordinary People

June 13, 2014June 17, 2014researchforum

Olga Vynogradova
Faculty of Social Sciences and Social Technologies,
Master Program of Sociology (1^st year)
From Kyiv city

For the last several months, news about current events in Ukraine constantly get on the front pages of international newspapers. Some would claim that the reason for this only relates to the importance of those deep political changes. Nevertheless, have you ever wondered if there is something more, concerning Euromaidan, something special that makes the whole world talk about it? As I am Ukrainian, live in Kyiv and consider myself a patriot, from the first days of Euromaidan I followed the development of events and tried to be involved as much as I could. The participation gave me better understanding of everything currently happening on Maidan. What impressed me the most from the first days – Euromaidan, though aimed at political purposes, was never driven by any of the political parties or groups. The events were totally operated by ordinary Ukrainian citizens seeking positive changes in their country – selfless, honest, fearless and inspired. Read more →

True Freedom Fighters

June 8, 2014June 17, 2014researchforum

Nataliia Vladimirova
Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Environmental Studies (Ecology),
Master Program (1^st year)
From Kyiv city

Since 1991, Ukraine is now going through the most painful but simultaneously most hopeful times. In recent months, the blood of the most dignified of the Ukrainian nation was spilled; these people were often not even ethnical Ukrainians but were real Ukrainians in their brave hearts. Much to our sorrow, only after the death of these people, it managed to change the course of the Revolution towards the victory of Ukrainians. The victims were ordinary people who in their protest against the existing corrupt and illegitimate government revolted and formed into the units of Narodna Samooborona [“People’s Self-Guard”] of Maidan. One of the divisions of Narodna Samooborona is 23 sotnia, which is the most revolutionary structure of Maidan – the Right Sector. For the whole period of Revolution, the Right Sector has been subjected to much criticism for its “too radical” actions from all sides: government, opposition, international community, and even from Ukrainian people. However, the Right Sector is the only power that managed to lead Ukrainian people to the victory in this bloody struggle for freedom! Read more →

Information war on Euromaidan in Russia

June 8, 2014June 17, 2014researchforum

Olexandra Tsekhanovska,
Faculty of Social Sciences and Social Technologies,
Master Program of Political Science (1^st year)
From Kyiv city

During the three tense, controversial, desperate and hopeful months of Euromaidan Ukrainian citizens were introduced to a vast amount of changes. Transformations took place on the surface of social life and in its depth, from the topics of daily “expert” political discussions in the kitchens – a part of our Soviet heritage that cannot be removed as easily as a Lenin statue – to the perception of both state power and civic duty, which become more critical, intent and demanding. As the core changes in the social life, these events deserve a title of revolution, albeit its success or failure is yet to be seen. And among its achievements is a miraculous transmutation of a 46-million state into ‘a camp of fascists that is waiting to set out on Moscow’ – at least this is the idea of Kremlin propaganda that infects minds of some weakly immune Russian citizens and may turn your yesterday’s friends into tomorrow’s enemies. Read more →

Euromaidan and Ukrainian History

June 3, 2014June 17, 2014researchforum

Yelyzaveta Taranukha
Faculty of Humanities
Master Program of Philology (1st year)
from Svatove town, Luhansk region

Each national history has lived through elevations and depressions during its self-development. Revolution as a form of national protest and as a kind of political transformation simultaneously tends to be both ups and downs. Although sudden changes ruin the way of living causing unpredictable events, Euromaidan has reconstituted Ukrainians into the nation. This page of Ukrainian history demonstrates our readiness to build the democracy and to rule the country, it indicates our becoming independent. Read more →

Euromaidan and Youth’s New Way of Thinking

May 31, 2014June 17, 2014researchforum

Bogdana Poberezhna
Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Environmental Studies (Ecology),
Master Program (1st year)
From Kyiv city

Euromaidan is, for sure, the most lively and discussed event of the past 20 years. Moreover, it will stay the most memorable for Independent Ukraine’s history. Maidan protest started as a student strike, but united people from all over the world. People from all regions of Ukraine took part in protest, part of them came to Independence Square; others – were supporting or observing it on TV. On the one hand, student strikes were numerous in the history of European countries and they were able to bring changes, and the same happened in Ukraine, which was a signal of changes in society. On the other hand, Euromaidan is the event which a new generation was waiting for to reveal its political priorities, attitude to authorities, and information exchange manner. Read more →

Becoming a New Patriot

May 29, 2014June 17, 2014researchforum

Anna Pastyria
National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Master Program in Biology (1^st year)
From Nova Odesa, Mykolaiv region
For the last 5 years living in Kyiv.

Despite studying in one of the most “Ukrainian” universities in the country, I have never been patriotic. In fact, after finishing school, the biggest advantage of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy for me was a well-developed department of international cooperation, as my childhood dream was to enter a master program abroad. Ukraine never seemed a perspective country to me. I had always wanted to become a biologist and wanted to work with modern methods and technologies, which is almost impossible in Ukraine nowadays. Maybe, the blame for this situation is on the people who ruled this country. The heroic past of Ukrainian nation always made me proud, but modern society and modern politicians were so disappointing that there was no hope left in my heart for a better future in Ukraine. However, recently everything changed. For the first time our country had a chance to become closer to developed European neighbors. And again, the authorities and president wanted to prevent this political and economical growth for their own benefit. But this time, my nation was not silent. Euromaidan made me proud of Ukraine, made me a real patriot. Read more →

Truth About EuroMaidan

May 27, 2014June 18, 2014researchforum

Denys Mekhed
National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”
Faculty of Computer Sciences
Master Program (1^st year)
from Chernihiv city

Not long time ago we all witnessed a social phenomenon which occurred in the center of our capital. Social media have put a lot of labels on it, many of which are far from reality.

Contrary to popular beliefs, EuroMaidan is not a movement for integration of Ukraine into the EU. This statement can only be applied to the first 300 people who were beaten by the Berkut Special Forces on November, 30. Most of the people who came to Maidan protested against the permissiveness of the corrupt regime which was established by Viktor Yanukovych. For example, Pravy Sektor organization, which played a significant role in the success of Maidan, is strongly against integrating in any political unions. Read more →

Three Fears Which Came True During Euromaidan

May 25, 2014June 18, 2014researchforum

Anna Lachykhina
National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”
Faculty of Social Sciences and Social Technologies,
Master Program of Political Science (1^st year)
from Simferopol, Crimea

Being born in an independent country, living in peace in the civilized world of 21^st century, I have never thought of bombs, weapons, and battle causalities or even deaths as something more realistic than historical facts from textbooks. Euromaidan started as a peaceful demonstration and turned out into a hostile confrontation between the Ukrainian riot police and activists. At this point awful scenes from the history became the heartbreaking reality where my three militaristic fears came true. Read more →

Love in the Time of War

May 23, 2014June 18, 2014researchforum

Mariya Kharitonyuk
Faculty of Humanities,
Master Program of Philology (1^st year),
from Lutsk city, Volyn’ region

A title of this essay is the name of a song written by Boris Grebenshikov, leader of Russian rock band ‘Aquarium’. He has created this music composition specially for Ukraine and dedicated it to Maidan’s events. I want these words to commence my essay and become its main idea. It is really difficult to write my own opinion on this piece of paper, because here Maidan is merely the space for my thoughts, but those people have lived on Maidan. Or died there. Read more →

When My People Go

May 22, 2014June 18, 2014researchforum

Tetyana Kalytenko
Faculty of Humanities,
Master Program (1^st year),
from Kyiv

There is no arguing with the fact that during the struggle for democracy that Ukraine has recently been going through, EuroMaidan has become a unique phenomenon and a sacred place of spiritual rebirth for my nation, where one can experience the Ukrainian culture expressed so vividly in people’s holy love for freedom in spirit, word and deed!