Polish-Ukrainian cultural and historical relations in contemporary Ukrainian poster

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to highlight the role of the poster as an important factor in the development and deepening of Polish-Ukrainian relations, focusing on the common cultural  and historical values of the two nations, which are interconnected by the history of the common heritage of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Methodology. The historical and comparative method, the method of art historical analysis and synthesis were used, which allowed to determine the place of the poster in the formation of public opinion, to highlight the features of the visual language of the modern poster, to demonstrate the ability of the poster to introduce established concepts into a new context and to generate new ones, conditioned by the times. Scientific novelty. For the first time, a thematic collection of contemporary Ukrainian posters of 2016—2024, totalling 39 items by 26 authors, stored in the fonds of the Department of Fine Arts of the V.I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine, has been brought into scientific circulation. Conclusions. The posters presented in the collection are a symbolic presentation of the collective memory of the peoples of Poland and Ukraine, allowing us to better understand their similarities and cultural diversity, to make a historical excursion into the genesis of their coexistence over the centuries, and to establish a contemporary dialogue between the two cultures. The materials in the collection demonstrate the importance of poster art as an effective means of public diplomacy during the Russian-Ukrainian war, as the specificity of the genre allows for an immediate response to public demand, focusing on the positive aspects of the historical past and cultural ties between the Polish and Ukrainian peoples. In this way, the poster responds to the challenges of the times, integrating into the European space and fulfilling an important social mission. The authors of the posters offer a fresh look at famous names, recall history, and restore historical memory. From now on, posters from the collection are available for research on the history of Polish-Ukrainian relations, as well as for studying the role and importance of poster art in shaping public opinion.