A short introductory course on the history, culture and society of Ukraine from the Middle Ages to the present from National University Of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy professors Vadym Aristov, Tetiana Hryhorieva, Kateryna Dysa, Natalia Shlihta and Maksym Yakovlyev. It's the first English-language course on Ukrainian history and culture. Now available in Norwegian.

Ukraine has more than a thousand-year history associated with numerous stereotypes. Like most Eastern European countries, it is a rather young country. Ukraine declared its independence only in 1991. Nevertheless, since then, it managed to survive three revolutions struggling for the protection of democratic values ​​and human rights; radically change the vector of international politics; and advance significantly in the development of arts and culture.

What about the events and processes taking place before the independence was declared? What historical and cultural heritage was preserved by Ukraine when it entered the 21st century?

It was created six months ago in English by the Ukrainian Institute, EdEra and the National University Of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

The course offer you a short introductory in the history, culture, and society of Ukraine from the Middle Ages to the present. You will be guided by experienced researchers, experts in history and political science, and leading professors of the National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy".

You can learn:

• Transformation of Eastern Europe by the Viking Age
• Origin and decline of Kyivan Rus’
• The effect of the Reformation on Ukrainian lands, the creation of the Uniate Church
• The Cossacks’ military organization, their role in European wars, and the creation of Cossacks’ state
• Ukrainian lands under the reign of two empires during the XIXth century
• The rise of culture and art in the 1920s (Ukrainian modernism)
• The causes and consequences of Stalinism in Ukraine, the Ukrainian experience of World War II
• Ukrainian dissident movement in the Soviet state
• Ukrainian struggle for independence and democracy after the collapse of the USSR

The Norwegian translation was initiated on a volunteer basis by Harald Vågene, who founded Familiehjelpen Ukraina (Assistance to the Families of Ukraine):

As the head of the organisation, I try to learn more about Ukraine. I am often asked about Ukraine, and it is important for me to provide correct information about the history, life and politics of the country. I saw this course on Facebook, took it, and then asked the project team to translate it into Norwegian so that more people would enjoy the course. This was helped by our old acquaintance Even Jahr, whose knowledge and ideas have been very valuable for our organisation for many years.

Harald Vågene

The course is available on the Udemy platform for free. Share links and spread quality knowledge about Ukraine - English and Norwegian!

The Ukrainian Institute is a public institution affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Their mission is to strengthen Ukraine's international standing through the means of cultural diplomacy. They facilitate international connections between people and institutions and create opportunities for Ukraine to interact and cooperate with the world.