Discussion
Thе article examines the childhood of Ukrainian intellectuals in the pre-Soviet and early Soviet periods, focusing on how rural culture and folk traditions shaped their moral and aesthetic worldview.
Drawing on memoirs, diaries, and works of fiction, the study highlights the formative influence of village life, children’s folklore, and communal customs on the early intellectual and ethical development of this generation.
With the rise of Soviet power, traditional folk culture and spirituality faced ideological repression and devaluation, creating a conflict between inherited moral codes and the demands of socialist conformity. By tracing this tension in autobiographical and literary narratives, the article reveals how Ukrainian intellectual identity emerged from the interplay between folk heritage, cultural memory, and the suppressive forces of Soviet ideology.
Keywords:
Ukrainian intellectuals, rural childhood, folk culture, Soviet ideology, cultural identity.
