Posted by Observer-I on May 18, 2002 at 19:03:42:
In Reply to: CarpathianUkraine'sCultural&ReligiousCenter posted by Observer on May 15, 2002 at 23:22:25:
Response to : Romyr Report Winter 2000 #5
: ...Despite the difficult political climate
[including severe Russian interference] which the city developed, or perhaps because of it, Uzhgorod became the cultural and religious center of Carpathian Ukraine...
RE: People of Uzhhorod and in the rest of this region (Transcarpathia) in the Referendum of 1 December, 1991 voted for autonomy to re-establish the historical state system of Subcarpathian Rus’ in the form of an autonomous Transcarpathia. Seventy eight percent (78%) of population voted for autonomy.
See:http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/tc.htm: The expected “democratic” response from Kiyev: “Skasuvaty!”
: The political profile of Uzhgorod has been dynamic, spurred by the forces of geopolitics. At the end of the 17th century, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy honored the city by granting it "Favored City" status. Influential figures in the religious community as well as political and public leaders, several aristocrats among them, played host to ambassadors of Peter the Great and Bohdan Khmelnytsky.
RE: “several aristocrats among them” was one, Hungarian Rakoczi who led the fight against Habsburgs and looked for allies including the Sultan of Turkey.
Far more important event was involvement of Archbishop Vincent in coronation of Jiri z Podebrad in Prague, one of the most important kings of Czech lands. Archbishop Vincent came originally from Mukachevo (Transcarpathia) and was a captain of Mukachevo castle (kastelan Mukachevsjkoho zamku). He represented the Pope and the official Vatican in Prague and was a key figure during the coronation of Jiri z Podebrad. Thus, people from Transcarpathia showed hospitality towards emissaries from Russia, Ukraine and Turkey, but they were actively involved in political, cultural development of Central Europe because they were part of it.
See Archbishop Vincent; ( I.Kercha: Majster Vintsej)
http://rusyn.presov.sk/pdf/pdf-2002/rusin2-2002/rusin2-2002.pdf
In the modern era, specifically, the 1920's, Uzhgorod provided the backdrop for local officials to hand over the national blue and yellow flag to American Rusyns, former countrymen.
RE: American Rusyns were not under the control of Ukrainian Nationalists and therefore they spearheaded the effort of Rusyn people in Subcarpathia (Transcarpathia) to establish the autonomous state system of Subcarpathian Rus (not Carpatska Ukraina) in 1919. This state system was in place even in 1946. It ceased to exist following incorporation of Subcarpathia into Soviet Ukraine in 1946. The first governor of Subcarpathian Rus was Gregory Zhatkovich, Rusyn-American, formerly a layer of GM (USA).
In 1934, the All-Enlightenment Congress convened here after fruitless resistance to the yoke of Czech rule.
RE: If the Masaryk’s Czechoslovakia was “the yoke of Czech rule” than the current Ukraine’s rule can be easily characterized as a rule of Asiatic Despots. The most significant progress in economical and cultural life of Rusyn people was made during 20 years of Masaryk’s Czechoslovakia. This is well known not only in Subcarpathia but also in the rest of Ukraine, of course, with exception of Ukrainian chauvinists. Thus, it is only natural that people of Subcarpathia dedicated a MEMORIAL to TOMAS GARYK MASARYK, the President of Czechoslovakia to express their gratitude. The dignified ceremony took place in Uzhgorod MARCH 27, 2002. See http://rusyn.presov.sk/pdf/pdf-2002/rusin2-2002/rusin2-2002.pdf
Pro-Ukrainians and Russophiles united to send an ultimatum to Prague. The move proved successful, and the region soon received autonomy. Although Uzhgorod was eventually given to Hungary as a result of the Viennese Arbitration, as of 1938, inhabitants continued to celebrate autonomy and organize their government, which was led by Augustin Voloshyn.
RE: There were Rusyns as well as Rusyns of Russian or Ukrainian orientations. In addition, there were Ukrainian Nationalists, emigrants mainly from Galitsia who led the Ukrainian orientation and by help of Berlin (Hitletr’s approval) created the short-lived Karpatska Ukrajina. It ceased to exists as soon as Hitler lost his interest in “Piemont of Ukraine” (the Karpatska Ukrajina) and decided to go ahead with the plan Barbarossa. Karpatska Ukrajina lasted for few months because people of Subcarpathia did not supported this implanted state by Ukrainian nationalists from Galitsia. There was no partisan movement among people of Subcarpathia who were fighting for Carpatho-Ukraine. Rusyns were fighting for democratic Czechoslovakia. The soldiers in gen. Svoboda’s army were mainly Rusyns.
On October 25, 1938, Prague issued a directive dissolving all political parties throughout the country. The Carpatho-Ukrainian government, however, did not carry out the directive until January 20, 1939. Elections for the Senate of the Carpatho-Ukrainian state had shown that 92.4 % of the electorate (out of the 92.5 % which voted) supported the UPR (Ukrainian People's Union). This was an open declaration by the people that the region was a part of Ukraine. It was at this time that discussion of land ownership along ethnic lines ceased.
RE: “Although Uzhgorod was eventually given to Hungary as a result of the Viennese Arbitration, as of 1938…”. Not only Uzhgorod, but also all major towns such as Mukachevo, Chop, Beregovo (Beregszaz) etc. were under Hungary. Khust was the only major town that was part of Karpatska-Ukrajina. The new borderline was above Uzhgorod, Mukachevo and Berehovo. To be precise, over 60 % of Subcarpathian population were under Hungary and therefore, these numbers of the electorate have no meaning. Less than 10 000 votes received the Voloshyn’s party in the election.
In March, 1939, the Carpathian Sich engaged in one of the earliest battles of World War II, a sign of its commitment to the freedom of Ukraine....
RE: Not more than 100 young men of Karpatska Sich died in the battle defending Khust, the capital of Karpatska Ukraina. On the other hand, tragically, the numbers of Rusyns who sacrificed their life for democratic Czechoslovakia in battles against Hitler's Germany from Buzuluk to Prague in Svoboda’s Czechoslovak army reached well above 10 000. Rusyns were fighting for democracy and they are the only east Slavic nation who had some experience with democracy during 20 years of Czechoslovakia, from 1919 to 1939. Ukrainians are learning what is democracy only now.
: Uzhgorod is a city with an eclectic history, at a crossroads of cultures and nations. For centuries, it has shouldered the burden of being situated on the frontier, acting for the good of the state despite geographical, historical, and cultural barriers. It stands as the stalwart of Carpathian Ukraine, surviving foreign rule, persevering to protect the ethnic and cultural identity of independent Ukraine...
RE: First of all Uzhgorod is a Central European city and following annexation of Subcarpathia to USSR it gained some common history with East Europe but only since 1945. However, the history of Uzhgorod dates back to the VIIIth century. Ancestors of Rusyns adapted Christianity in 863, five generations before Kiyevan Rus accepted Christianity (988). More importantly, it preserves the ethnic and cultural identity of Rusyns and not Ukrainians.
: Romyr Report Winter 2000 #5