Two-day workshop on Ukrainian identity and consolidation to be held in Copenhagen

United We Stand: National Consolidation in the Case of Ukraine

Dates: November 14-15
Location: University of Copenhagen, South Campus, room 11C.0.08

The workshop will discuss the following questions:

• In what way is the transition from statelessness to statehood transformative for a national community?

• Does the national identity acquire new properties and the national community a new unity when independence is achieved? 

• How are both affected by external threats and invasion? 

• What is the role of civic society and religious institutions during such existential moments?

The speakers who represent disciplines such as philosophy, history, sociology, political science, literary criticism, and religious studies will be asked to take Ukraine as their case study, with a particular focus on the moments of birth and rebirth of the Ukrainian nation-state in 1917 and 1991 and the turning points of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014 and 2022. The inclusion of Ukrainian scholars aims to provide an insider’s perspective on how national consolidation can emerge as a consequence of intra-national as well as extra-national factors.

Speakers:

• John Hall – Emeritus James McGill Professor of Sociology

• Tamara Hundorova – Visiting Scholar, Princeton University / Principal Scholar, Institute of Literature, NAS of Ukraine

• John Hutchinson – Associate, LSE IDEAS, London School of Economics

• Annika Hvithamar – Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen

• Vakhtang Kebuladze – Professor, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

• Volodymyr Yermolenko – Associate Professor, National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy"; President of PEN Ukraine

The workshop will include a panel discussion: “Navigating Identity and Nationhood: Ukraine in Historical and Contemporary Contexts”.

Date: November 15
Location: Ukraine House in Denmark, Gammel Dok, Strandgade 27B, Copenhagen

This panel discussion will explore the multifaceted journey of Ukrainian identity shaped by historical empires, contemporary conflicts, and evolving social dynamics. Our expert speakers will examine:

• The influence of geopolitical conditions on nation formation

• The impact of warfare on national identity

• The role of religious institutions in fostering unity amid diversity

Attendees will gain insights into how historical experiences inform current challenges and future trajectories for Ukraine as it seeks to solidify its political identity in an increasingly complex world.

Registration for both events is available here:

https://eventsignup.ku.dk/unitedwestandnationalconsolidationinthecaseofukraine

The workshop is organized by the Center for Subjectivity Research (University of Copenhagen) and Ukrainian House in Denmark with the financial support of the European Research Council and in partnership with PEN Ukraine.