First volume of Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine released in Kyiv (03/24/02)

First volume of Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine released in Kyiv

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - A bevy of Ukrainian intellectual heavyweights from around the globe, including representatives of two respected academic societies, gathered in Kyiv on February 12 to announce the release of the first volume of the Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine.

On hand for the event, which took place at the Ukrainian Home Exposition and Conference Center, were Minister of Foreign Affairs Anatolii Zlenko; the president of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, Arkadii Zhukovsky; and the vice-president of the National Academy of Sciences, Vitalii Pokhodenko; Walter Baranetsky of the New York-based Friends of the Encyclopedia of Ukraine Foundation; as well as a number of noted scholars and academics.

Mykola Zhelezniak, head coordinator of the encyclopedia project, told The Weekly that the introduction of the book is a major event in Ukrainian culture and history.

"This encyclopedia is a wellspring of information on who we are, what we are and what we have," exclaimed Mr. Zhelezniak. "When this project is finished and the last tome is out, we will have discovered much about ourselves."

The encyclopedia, which is expected to consist of 25 volumes with some 65,000 entries at its completion, was developed to document the development of Ukrainian society and culture in the 20th century and the transformation of the Ukrainian nation into an independent state, which today is a decade old.

The encyclopedia was a joint effort of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), headquartered in Kyiv, and the Shevchenko Scientific Society (SSS), an international organization centered in New York. The editorial board was co-chaired by Ivan Dzyuba from the NAS and Dr. Zhukovsky of the SSS. Leading scholars of both organizations, from Ukraine and abroad, contributed to its development.

In the preface to the text, the authors explained that, while deciding on their focus, they realized the keenest interest would be on Ukraine's current development. They decided to include significant names, events and places in Ukrainian life going back to the beginning of the century to give a fully rounded view of the processes that led to the events of the last decade.

The encyclopedia covers not only notable individuals from Ukraine, but also Ukrainians living abroad and even non-Ukrainians who made significant contributions to the country's development. The criterion used to establish what individuals should be included was "a tangible contribution by the individual in the development of science, culture, business or the social institutions of Ukraine," according to the coordinating committee's press release. Among those included are a large number of scientists, philanthropists, actors, athletes, literary figures, as well as political, community and state leaders.

There is also much data about the various regions, counties, cities, towns and villages of Ukraine; their histories, economies, cultures and geographic surroundings. Important dates and events of 20th century Ukraine are noted as well.

The first volume, which covers entries beginning with the letter "A," contains 2,732 articles, 1,628 illustrations (some in color), 50 tables and charts, and 12 maps. Volume II, which is due out in the summer, will cover the letter "Å." Two more volumes, to include entires through the letter "¢," will be ready by the end of the year, with a fourth volume expected to be ready for print.

The encyclopedia, the first of its kind about Ukraine, was in part financed by philanthropist George Soros' International Renaissance Foundation and the Friends of the Encyclopedia of Ukraine Foundation, as well as through donations by individual benefactors, many of them Ukrainians living abroad.

Upon receiving an initial, special copy of the first volume, President Leonid Kuchma noted the encyclopedia's importance. "Every government official, businessman and organization leader should have a copy of this book," he said.

The first volume of the Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine can be ordered by writing the Coordinating Bureau of the Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine, National Academy of Sciences vul. Volodymyrska 54, Apt. 517, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine; telephone, (044) 221-6784; e-mail, [email protected].

The cost is $20. Payment arrangements should be made with the Coordinating Bureau.

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