Book launch marks release of Lysiak-Rudnytsky's essays (01/14/96)

Book launch marks release of Lysiak-Rudnytsky's essays

by Halyna Klid

EDMONTON - A book launch was held on November 9, 1995, at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) in Edmonton to celebrate the publication of the two-volume "Istorychni Ese" (Historical Essays) by the late Ivan Lysiak-Rudnytsky (1919-1984), who taught Ukrainian history at the University of Alberta.

The new book includes more than 60 of Rudnytsky's essays and is the first volume in a new series, "Ukrainian Historiography in the West," published by the Peter Jacyk Center for Ukrainian Historical Research at CIUS.

The editor of "Istorychni Ese" is Dr. Yaroslav Hrytsak, Director of the Institute for Historical Research at the University of Lviv, whose work on the volumes was sponsored by the Jacyk Center.

"Istorychni Ese" appeared in an edition of 10,000 copies as a joint publication of the Jacyk Center and Osnovy Publishers of Kyiv, with the financial support of the Bureau of Assistance for Central and Eastern Europe, government of Canada, under a program managed by the Canadian Bureau for International Education.

For this collection, all available versions of previously published essays were collated and the most complete texts selected, while essays published in English were translated into Ukrainian. The essays are supplemented by extensive editorial notes and an index.

"In launching this very important work," noted Dr. Zenon E. Kohut, director of the CIUS, in his opening remarks, "the CIUS is also honoring its author, the late Ivan Lysiak-Rudnytsky, who taught in the department of history at this university and was a founder of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies."

The importance of the publication was noted by other speakers at the book launch: Dr. Frank E. Sysyn, director of the Jacyk Center: Dr. John-Paul Himka, professor in the department of history and classics, University of Alberta: and Dr. Serhii Plokhy, research associate of the Jacyk Center.

Dr. Sysyn pointed out the significance of the publication of "lstorychni Ese" for Ukraine. "As Ukraine sought new political values and a link with suppressed traditions, the works of one of the most brilliant and erudite commentators on Ukrainian political thought were in high demand," said Dr. Sysyn. "Just as he had ensured that the Ukrainian diaspora should be mindful of those traditions of political thought, which were in danger of being lost in the conflict of 20th-century totalitarianisms, so he could fulfill a similar role for Ukraine.''

Dr. Plokhy stressed the importance of Lysiak-Rudnytsky's work for Ukrainian intellectual life and for the development of historical studies. Lysiak-Kudnytsky considered Ukrainian problems within the context of European history, especially intellectual history, which was his area of specialization. Most historians in Ukraine, educated in the spirit of official Marxism, are unaccustomed to this approach. Dr. Plokhy noted another important and valuable feature of Lysiak-Rudnytsky's writings: they treaty the history of 19th and 20th century Ukraine as an integral whole, tracing the development of one national tradition in political thought, represented by eastern and western figures alike. "And this unity, which is demonstrated in his works and apparent in their every line, is extraordinarily important," he said.

In the words of Dr. Alexandra Chemenko-Rudnytsky, Mr. Lysiak-Rudnytsky's widow, his major contribution was his great attention to the younger generation, often at the cost of his own work. He was the mentor of a whole generation of talented historians now active in the West.

Lysiak-Rudnytsky's book has aroused considerable interest among Ukraine's academic circles, and the volumes are in great demand. In order to promote the influence of his ideas, the CIUS is now working with the University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to establish a permanent seminar to be known as the Ivan Lysiak-Rudnytsky Seminar in Ukrainian Liberal Political Thought. This seminar, to be held on a monthly basis, is intended to promote liberal values and critical thought among Ukrainian intellectuals. Speakers will be drawn from all parts of Ukraine and from the CIUS.

"Istorychn Ese" is available for $29.95 (plus 7 percent GST for Canadian orders and $3 for postage and handling) from the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies Press, which also published Lysiak-Rudnytsky's English-language "Essays in Modern Ukrainian History" ($19.95).

Please send orders to: CIUS Press, 352 Athabasca Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E8; telephone, (403) 492-2972, fax, (403) 492-4967.

| Home Page |