AUTHOR: Stepan BORCHUK
Danubius, XXXV - Supliment, Galaţi, 2017, pp. 129-140.
Abstract
The basic elements of encyclopedic tradition on the territory of Galicia in the late nineteenth century are characterized, the work of Taras Shevchenko Scientific Society in the area of entsyklopedystky is reviewed, stages and the peculiarities of creation the first “Ukrainian General Encyclopedia”. A great attention is paid to the need in such work which was predetermined not only the progress of science, but also the growth of national consciousness of Ukrainians. It is noted that some stabilization of political life in Galicia during the interwar period and during policy of “Readjustment” was pushing Ukrainian scientific elite, which was concentrated primarily in the ranks of Taras Shevchenko Scientific Society to take part in active work on the encyclopedia.
The author notes that “the Ukrainian General Encyclopedia” was focused on the general public. Despite the relatively small total volume, the edition consisted of 34 thousand articles and work attracted 136 authors. The publication of the encyclopedia showed that certain groups of patriots and professionals of their business could make an extremely ambitious project that had not been able to implement more powerful research institutions, to prove the ability of Ukrainian Scientific Elite to realize fundamental scientific research projects.