Ukrainians Past and Present in the English Media
- Event type
- Discussion/talk
- Organisers
- Coventry University
- Contact
- ad6235@coventry.ac.uk
- Is event online?
- No
- Accessibility information
- The Chapel is fully accessible for wheelchair users and has an accessible toilet. Please contact the organiser regarding specific access requirements.
- Region/country
- West Midlands
- Address
-
Anglican Chapel
London Road Cemetery
Coventry
CV1 2JT
Scheduled dates
Come along to this interactive event to find out more about Ukrainian history.
This interactive event will cover the evolution of the Cossack image in English media, with an emphasis on recent memes and artwork stemming from the war. The discussion will also explore questions about what makes an (inter)national icon, what issues may arise when we glorify very human individuals, and how imagery can be used to communicate ideas across borders.
In the mid-17th century, a Ukrainian landowner rose in the ranks of the Polish government, fought battles, survived Ottoman captivity, led an uprising, established a sovereign Cossack state, and treated with sultans and czars. By 1672, descriptions of Bohdan Khmelnytsky and Cossacks appeared in English, featuring characteristics conventionally associated with Cossacks in English media: brave warriors with troubling flaws. Following the Russian invasion, Khmelnytsky and his Cossacks have experienced a resurgence in popularity, their images being frequently employed on social media as symbols of Ukrainian bravery and resistance.
This interactive event will cover the evolution of the Cossack image in English media, with an emphasis on recent memes and artwork stemming from the war. The discussion will also explore questions about what makes an (inter)national icon, what issues may arise when we glorify very human individuals, and how imagery can be used to communicate ideas across borders.