The Nova Rada newspaper of 8 July 1917 reported:
“SLOBODA PUKHOVA[1] (Ostrogozhsk County, Voronezhchyna[2]). On Saturday, 24 June, at a public assembly in the village of Pukhova, Ostrogozhsk County, Voronezhchyna, the Universal of the Central Rada was read aloud and attentively listened to by all present while standing. After reading and discussing the current state of affairs in Ukraine, it was decided to support the provisions of the Universal Declaration and to support the Central Rada in its struggle for Ukraine’s freedom. Starting 1 July, it was also decided to introduce a local tax for the national cause, of 5 kopecks per adult, to be sent monthly to the Rada. In addition, they decided to send a telegram to the Central Rada with the following message: ‘The peasants of Pukhova village, Ostrogozhsk County, Voronezhchyna, having gathered on 24 June and listened to the Universal, sincerely greet the Rada and will support its decisions.’ The discussion and adoption of the Universal ended with cries of: ‘Glory to the Central Rada!’ and ‘Long live free Ukraine!’
The First Universal became a symbol of Ukrainian statehood revival and inspired local communities in Voronezhchyna to intensify their activity. In response to this Universal, the peasants of the Don River area (Podonnia) began collecting funds and harvests for Ukraine’s National Fund.
This rise in patriotic spirit was accompanied by decisions in some rural communities to switch education to the Ukrainian language. By August 1917, there were six such schools in Ostrogozhsk County. However, the lack of support from Kyiv, especially from the Secretariat of Education, became a serious obstacle to implementing these decisions. Kyiv did not respond to requests for teachers or methodological support.
Nina Belyaeva
Sources:
- The Nova Rada newspaper No. 83 of 8 July 1917.
- Arkadii Zhivotko, The Liberation Movement in Podonnia.
To learn how the story developed further, see the article: “The National Liberation Struggle of Eastern Slobozhanshchyna: Ukrainian Identity under Repression.”
Note:
[1] Currently located in the Liski District of the Voronezh Region of the so-called Russian Federation.
[2] Voronezhchyna is the Ukrainian term referring to the historically Ukrainian-inhabited lands within today’s Voronezh region of Russia. These include areas like Ostrogozhsk, Biriuch, and Rovenky counties, traditionally populated by Ukrainians.
