DMYTRO VITOVSKYI IN THE UKRAINIAN HISTORIOGRAPHIC DISCOURSE OF THE 1920–1930

Abstract

The paper analyzes investigations on the public, military, and state-making activities of Dmytro Vitovskyi (1887–1919) in the Ukrainian historiography of the interwar period of the 20th century. As noted, the first steps in analyzing the biography of the famous and reputable member of the Sich Rifleman, the State Secretary of Military Affairs of ZUNR were made in the 1920–1930s. It was during this period that scientists, social and political figures, and military associates distinguished the main thematic blocks of D. Vitovskyi's life path: 1) family environment, education; 2) participation in the USS Legion on the fronts of World War I; 3) cultural and educational work in Volyn and Podillia in 1916–1918; 4) organization and implementation of the November Uprising of 1918; 5) work as the State Secretary of Military Affairs of ZUNR (ZOUNR); 6) participation in Ukrainian delegation of the UNR at the Paris Peace Conference (May 1919–July 1919). The author characterizes the first article that started studies on the military and socio-political activities of D. Vitovskyi, written by an unknown author (probably an editor of the newspaper «Ukrainian Flag» Stepan Baran) titled «On August 4, 1919, died with a tragic death, by falling from an aircraft broken by the Polish border guard near Ratibor in Prussian Silesia, one of the leaders of the Halychyna-Ukrainian Sich Riflemen, Colonel Dmytro Vitovskyi». The contribution to the research of Dmytro Vitovskyi's life of Mykhailo Lozynskyi, Vasyl Kuchabskyi, Ivan Krypiakevych, Myron Zaklynskyi, Osyp Dumin, authors of numerous memorists – Sich Riflemen members – is clarified. As investigated, the most fully military and public activities of D. Vitovskyi covered his friend from the USS Legion M. Zaklynskyi, while other authors focused on particular periods of his biography. Much attention from scientists and memorists was devoted to the moral and psychological traits of D. Vitovskyi in various military and everyday situations, and his ability to unite the team. Keywords Dmytro Vitovskyi, USS Legion, ZUNR, historiography.