In Search of the Ukrainian Elite

Alla BOIKO, professor:

“In my opinion, the choice the Kyiv Spiritual Academy professors made after the 1917-1919 bloodshed was a true display of elite behavior and devotion to their ideals. While some representatives of well-to-do circles and aristocracy were leaving the country by Lenin’s order, the clergy stayed in their fatherland, willing to be together with their people.

“Elitism, as well as happiness, shouldn’t be measured in terms of money and material comforts. Though certainly one cannot be perfectly satisfied with his or her life without money, happiness is more on the personal side, while elitism to a certain extent means responsibility for the others, for one’s own people.

“People who are part of the elite are compelled to execute the function of the society’s conscience, serving primarily as an example of morality, to be energetic and true, not self-declared, patriots. For me, personally, Academician Amosov with his invaluable service to our society is an example of a member of the elite.

“Unfortunately, people who today proclaim themselves the elite believe that elitism means closeness to the power, high property qualifications, and such. Major human qualities for them recede to the background. However, I hope this will not last forever. The true elite of the Ukrainian society will inevitably display itself.”

Oleksandra ZHURAKHIVSKA, student:

“When I was in high school, I saw the elite as a certain social layer, which in the times of mass ignorance was distinguished by its familiarity with the culture of not only their nation but also of others. For some reason I myself pictured those people sitting in their vast libraries, bent over some hug tome, ready to start a discussion of moral and ethical subjects any minute.

The contemporary Ukrainian elite consists of former academicians and Soviet period doctors of science lost in time. Today’s elite means us — students, who study, change, learn, and preserve our deep connections with the distant past, even if these ties are only in books. We do not fear admitting that we are still in the process of learning, because the elite isn’t an established stilted entity with its centuries-old traditions. It is like water that becomes saturated and never stops its run. Its advantage is eternal perception of both the lowest and highest spheres.”

Ivan YUSHCHUK, professor:

“Elite members are not only people with higher education, but those who care about their state, people, and nation. Those who care only about themselves, concealing this with fine words, are a pseudo-elite. The young are a part of our society to whom our future belongs. I trust that they will direct our society toward justice and the rule of law, securing the further development of the Ukrainian nation (in the broad meaning). Today’s young people’s way of thinking is emancipated; they do not fear to express their views on sensitive problems and interfere in our social life. I trust that soon young people will take state management into their hands, which will be only to the good of Ukraine.”

Mariya KYSELIOVA, student:

“Lately the word elite is used far too frequently. I think the reason is that Ukraine has already lived through the period of satisfying primarily material needs, capital accumulation, and physical survival. Today the society has obtained a chance to ponder over the state’s cultural reform.

“A question arises, who will become a motive force of the state’s spiritual revolution? The answer comes from the subconscious: the elite. Elite means people combining in themselves education, a national orientation, broad world view, and the will to work for the good of their country.

“I have spent two years in an educational institution whose motto is raising a new Ukrainian elite. Its alumni were provided with a Ukrainian-speaking environment, high educational level, and a special team atmosphere. Constantly reminding us that we are future leaders, our professors required from us suitable behavior, manners, and even way of thinking. This helped us to realize that we can also become a part of this chimerical and unattainable elite.

“The golden age for Ukrainian elite will come, I believe, in a few years, when the intellectual, educated, young people raised in Ukrainian traditions begin their work, and it brings forth its first fruit.”