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The Shevchenko Scientific Society was founded in 1873 in Lviv, Ukraine, with the mission of promoting Ukrainian literature and sciences. It managed to succeed in this endeavor up until 1940 when the subjugation by Soviet authorities forced its dissolution.
Several of its key members kept the hope of reviving the institution and did so in Munich in 1947; along with 'preservation,' 'promotion' of Ukrainian literature and sciences was added to its mission.
The stay in Munich did not last long. In 1951 the organization's executive center, library and archives were transferred from Munich to Sarcelles, a suburb that is 20 minutes north of Paris by commuter train.
Subsequently, NTSh established three other chapters - New York City, Toronto, and Melbourne Australia, each resolving to operate autonomously loosely coordinated by a World General Council. In recent times, the Lviv, Ukraine, chapter has been reestablished and has begun to thrive.
The Society in Sarcelles at one time served as the editorial office of the Entsyklopediia ukrayinoznavstva (Encyclopedia of Ukrainian Studies). It continues to function, maintaining a library of more than 26,000 volumes, housing a large archive, and coordinating a publishing program under the direction of Arkady Joukovsky.
While its Lviv and New York City counterparts are experiencing a renaissance of sorts, the Sarcelles site has suffered losses in membership through attrition over the years and, thus, an important source for funding. Manned only by Dr. Joukovsky and his intrepid assistant, Irène Popowycz, the aging property (owned by the Ukrainian Catholic Church) with its sparingly furnished interior has seen better days. Its operations lack the technological support that a contemporary research and publishing facility should have. Its inconvenient suburban location away from the Parisian educational institutions and Diasporan Ukrainian centers makes it difficult to attract new membership, and lectures are rarely if ever held there any more. The bright sunshine outside on this autumn day did little to cheer the dimly lit room where Ms. Popowycz works. Except for the occasional researcher, few visitors ever cross its threshold.
The challenging working conditions and uncertain future of the Society in Sarcelles are but minor drawbacks for Dr. Joukovsky and Ms. Popowycz. They remain firmly committed to the organization's mission and work closely with the Lviv-based NTSh to turn out new publications. See the side panel for examples of monographs that NTSh-E has released in recent years.
Société Scientific Ševčenko
29, rue des Bauves
95200 Sarcelles
Tel: (1) 39-90-05-82
Fax: (1) 39-94-55-15
Dr. Arkady Joukovsky (center), Irène Popowycz (right), Hanya Krill (left) in the Library Main Room
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Dr. Arkady Joukovsky in his office
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Irène Popowycz
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Irène Popowycz cataloging new entries into the database.
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Arkady Joukovsky stands in front of the main building of Société Scientific Ševčenko in Sarcelles.
Volodymyr Kubijovyč,
NTSh-E President 1952-85
Danylo Husar Struk
NTSh-E President 1997-99
Arkady Joukovsky
NTSh-E President
The famous gardens of the Château de Villandry in France's Loire Valley
Le Château des Dames in France's Loire Valley
Foto I
