Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute

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Special Lecture Series


The Vasyl and Maria Petryshyn Memorial Lectures in Ukrainian Studies

In 1991, a lecture fund was established through a major gift donated by the estate of the late Vasyl and Maria Petryshyn, with additional funds provided by their son Dr. Wolodymyr Petryshyn, and other family members. The income from the fund was to be used to support an annual presentation made by distinguished scholars with national or international reputation in the field of Ukrainian studies. The guest speaker, topics of their presentations and dates are determined by the Lecture Committee consisting of the Director of HURI and two Harvard colleagues of his choice. The Vasyl and Maria Petryshyn Memorial Lecture Fund also supports the publication of the text of each lecture - such publications are to occur within six months of its public delivery.

The first Vasyl and Maria Petryshyn Memorial Lecture took place on April 24, 1994. The lecture entitled "Political Communities and Gendered Ideologies in Contemporary Ukraine" was presented by Dr. Marta Bohachevska-Chomiak, National Endowment for the Humanities. Other Petryshyn Memorial lecturers were:

(1995) Dr. Yuri Scherbak, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, "A New Nation, New Relations: Ukraine's Emerging Foreign Policy";

(1996) Dr. Francis J. Thompson, University of Antwerp, Belgium, "The Union of Brest (1596) in Its Historical Context";

(1997) Dr. John-Paul Himka, University of Alberta, Canada, "History, Christendom, and East European Culture: Reformulating Some Questions";

(1998) Dr. John A. Armstrong, University of Wisconsin, USA, "Independent Ukraine in the World Arena: Prospects for the Republic and Implications for Studies";

(1999) Dr. Maria Zubrytska, Lviv Franko University, Ukraine, "Contemporary Ukrainian Literature and Its Readers: a Mutual Longing for recognition";

(2000) Dr. Hiroaki Kuromiya, Indiana University, USA "Reinterpreting Ukrainian History: New Sources and New Ideas";

(2001) Dr. Andrea Graziosi, University of Naples Federico II, Italy "The Ukrainian Experience in the European War/Revolution of 1905-1956";

(2002) Dr. Natalia Yakovenko, Institute of History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, "Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants: Religious Coexistence in Ukraine in the 16th to 17th Centuries".
  Read a synopsis of the lecture (PDF)

(2003) Alexander J. Motyl, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, and Deputy Director, Center for Global Change and Governance, Rutgers University-Newark, "Making Ukraine, and Remaking It".
  Read a transcript of the lecture (PDF)

(2004) Dr. Yaroslav Hrytsak, Institute of Historical Research
Lviv National University, "A Ruthenian Peasant in a Ger,man Outfit: Ivan Franko and the Making of Ukrainian Identity".

(2005) Dr. Dominique Arel, Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of Ottawa, "Understanding the Regional Factor in Ukrainian Politics, 1994-2004".

(2006) Olexiy Haran, Regional Vice President for Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, The Eurasia Foundation, "Post-Orange Ukraine and the March 2006 Elections: What Now?"

(2007) Tatiana Tairova-Iakovleva, Professor of Ukrainian History and Director, Center for Ukrainian Studies, St. Petersburg State University, "Ivan Mazepa: The Hetman and the Myth in Historical Context"

(2008) Giovanna Brogi Bercoff, Professor of Slavistics, University of Milan, "Canon and Culture in Early Modern Ukraine: The Baroque and Its Aftermath "


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