<I>Chernihivshchyna Incognita</I> Result of Cooperation with <I>Den/<I>The Day</I></I>

The Chernihivski Berehy Publishing House has just published the historical and ethnographic almanac Chernihivshchyna Incognita (The Unknown Chernihiv Region). The Day’s regular readers must have immediately noted a close resemblance between this title and that of one of our newspaper’s standing serial publications, “Ukrayina Incognita.” This is no coincidence. Our newspaper’s unique project of publishing books on little-known facts from Ukraine’s history was the inspiration behind the new publication. In April 2003 deputy chairman of the Chernihiv Oblast Administration Viktor Tkanko hit upon the idea of publishing this intriguingly-titled book, which is devoted exclusively to the Chernihiv region. The idea materialized during a meeting with Den/The Day’s editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna. Knowing the rich and unrivaled history of the ancient Siversky land, Ms. Ivshyna approved the idea and offered the authors every kind of professional and moral support. She was the first person whom Mr. Tkanko thanked at the book launch. “The publication of Chernihivshchyna Incognita is the continuation of our many years of cooperation with the newspaper Den/The Day,” Mr. Tkanko said. “During this period of time, Den/The Day has held two photo exhibitions and book launches for Ukrayina Incognita and Dvi Rusi in our city, and implemented various interesting joint projects about the religious situation in our region (with the participation of journalist Klara Gudzyk). Ms. Ivshyna visited Chernihiv oblast three times, and the pages of Den/The Day’s were full of articles on our region, written by both Chernihiv and Kyiv writers. I sincerely thank Ms. Ivshyna for her assistance in preparing the almanac Chernihivshchyna Incognita, as well as for serving as an example of patriotism and never-ending concern for Ukraine’s prestige, which is manifested in your newspaper’s unvarying interest in the glorious history of our state.”

The Chernihiv Oblast Administration began to show an interest in historical matters as soon as it set to work reviving book publishing in the region, in 2001. In this they were motivated by the fact that several generations of Ukrainians had not studied and in fact do not know the true history of Ukraine. The goal of Chernihivshchyna Incognita is not only to enrich the reader but also to reveal hitherto unknown highlights from the life of our forefathers. The editorial blurb on the book’s back cover reads: “Having delved into the past, the authors of this book have words of advice for their readers on how to live by upholding the values forged by previous generations and restoring what has been lost.”

The almanac represents the work of 52 authors, including 44 from Chernihiv oblast. The remaining authors are from Kyiv, Moscow, Volgograd, and New York. The publication includes 55 essays, and scholarly and journalistic articles, and 140 illustrations, some of them rare and unique. The almanac’s chief editor, Prof. Oleksandr Kovalenko, who is the dean of the History School at Chernihiv’s Shevchenko Teacher Training University, said that many of the materials used in the book have already appeared in various publications, including Den/The Day. According to the editors, some subjects have not been adequately dealt with before, so they were specially included. “Some of these subjects are very unusual; they break down deep- seated stereotypes in the perception of our distant and recent past,” Mr. Kovalenko said.

Funds to publish Cherhihivshchyna Incognita came from the regional budget as part of a program that supports socially important publications. The print run is small: only 500 copies. Nevertheless, the authors and publishers are not planning to rest on their laurels. They intend to urge the oblast administration and the State Committee for Television and Radio to support this project and fund the republication of the almanac so that every regional library will have a copy. The editorial board also plans to continue searching for interesting historical essays and articles that will be published in the second volume of this series. According to Mr. Tkanko, the board has already accumulated half the materials for the projected volume. The rich history of the Chernihiv region and the availability of experts are factors guaranteeing the successful completion of the project. “If we manage to expand the book with additional articles, this will be a serious contribution to the patriotic education of every resident of Chernihiv region, primarily young people,” said Mr. Tkanko. “Each page arouses respect and love for Ukraine. We hope that our example will inspire the intellectual elite in other regions to acquaint Ukraine with their own little-known historical past.”