rfmcdonald | [LINK] "300-years ceremony of Swedish-Russian battle

The Stockholm News covers the politicization of the 300th anniversary of the Swedish-Cossack-Russian Battle of Poltava, now being used in independent Ukraine as a critical point in the formation of the Ukrainian nation.

[I]t is interesting how the battle is seen and analysed today by both Swedes and Russians. But it is of course also interesting to see the physical battlefield and to feel the atmosphere.

This was our expectations when we travelled to Poltava, today in Eastern Ukraine, to see the 300 year ceremony of the battle. To wander around the battle field, to feel the atmosphere, to imagine how it must have felt for the soldiers and to meet and discuss the event with other Swedes or Russians. We also expected to witness the re-play of the battle which was promised.

It was not much of these expecations that was fulfilled. Instead the whole event was a lecture in how a new country like Ukraine use this ceremony for strengthening its national identity.

So, how can a battle between Sweden and Russia 300 years ago be used by Ukraine today? To understand this, we must give you a short historical resume.

[. . .]

When the Swedish army moved into Russia in 1708, this was an opportunity for the Cossacks to get independence. Therefore one of their leaders Ivan Mazepa joined the Swedish army. Mazepa contributed with skilled riders but above all with local geographical knowledge.

For Russia and Tsar Peter I, this was of course nothing else than treason, but for today´s Ukrainians this was a part of a long heroic struggle for an independent Ukraine. This is even more important in a young nation which is continously overshadowed by Russia. Considering that a new gas-conflict was evolving during our visit did probably not cool down the national feelings.

This is rather controversial in Russia, where Ukraine's honouring of a man seen in Russian nationalist historiography as a trait is exceptionally unpopular.