Russian-Speaking Community in the Lviv Region

The article discusses the problem of the Russian-speaking community in the Lviv district in Ukraine. Basing on ethnographic field research conducted in Drohobych, Borislav and Chervonograd the author speaks in support of the thesis that the Russian in Western Ukraine should be described as a group that differs from the rest of population not only by language, but also by many other signs of cultural identity, especially memory which is in conflict with the dominant Ukrainian national historical discourse. The author also notices the differences in identity discourses: the Russian – speaking people mostly support the thesis of “Slavic unity” in which the essence of being Ukrainian bases on some ethnographic differences. The identity of the Russian-speaking people does not fit into the mainstream of pure ethnic distinctions, which, in turn, for the Russian – speaking group are not necessarily natural and obvious categories to describe social reality. In cities, where the research was conducted, the Russian – speaking people feel themselves as a minority, forced to defend their interests in the view of limited opportunities to preserve their identity which may lead to the collapse of the core values of the group. These problems even intensify with coming to power – at the local level – nationalistic “Svoboda” party.