This fall marks the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the central archives of old statutory acts at St. Volodymyr University in Kyiv [currently Taras Shevchenko National University]. At present, its stock boasts some 1.5 million files with unique documents relating to world history and that of Ukraine.
Cultural events commemorating the anniversary began with an exposition of most valuable archival documents for the diplomatic corps at the capital. Among the guests were Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Dietmar StЯdemann of the FRG, Sven-Ulof Oke Peterson of Sweden, Andris Vilcans of Latvia... For the newly appointed French Ambassador Philip de Surmen it was the first official function in Ukraine. The exhibit was also attended by Ruslan Pyrih, chairman of the state archives committee; foreign ministry deputy state secretary Volodymyr Yelchenko, and Olha Muzyka, director of the central historical state archives who took care of all arrangements for the exposition.
At the exhibit, to the accompaniment of Kostiantyn Chechenia’s ensemble of old music, the diplomats explored rare documents mostly kept on archival shelves. Among the most spectacular articles on display were the thirteenth century Gospels, another edition made to Metropolitan Petro Mohyla’s order in the seventeenth, letters patents of Russian emperors, incunabula, maps and charts, documents relating to foreigners in Ukraine (diplomats, merchants, army officers, et. al.), and selections of documents illustrating Ukraine’s relations with many countries. Swedish Ambassador Sven-Ulof Oke Peterson noted, “Ukraine has always been a fact of European politics. If you ask a Swede in the street about Ukraine he won’t mistake the Ukrainians for Russians; most our people will remember the Battle of Poltava and Ukrainian Hetman Ivan Mazepa. The Swedes would like to develop what is known as historical tourism, because that battle remains a significant event in our common history.”
Cooperation with European archival institutions continues. The latest important event was transfer of the Bach archives to Germany. Forming the national archival fund – in the words of Ruslan Pyrih, a thousand kilometers of shelves – gives one a certain idea about Ukraine’s archival heritage.
