Formation of Donbas Mythological Image in Ukrainian Literature: Cultural, Social, and Political Aspects

Abstract

This article explores the process of shaping the image of Donbas in Ukrainian literature, perceived as a region artificially isolated from the rest of Ukraine. Particular attention is devoted to the mythologisation of Donbas’s space and identity, which has influenced cultural and social processes while intensifying the challenges posed by hybrid warfare. The study draws on the work of Ukrainian and foreign scholars who examine the impact of the Soviet legacy, politically motivated information campaigns, and the narratives crafted in literary and artistic works. The article highlights the transformation of regional identity, the emergence of new cultural codes and narratives, and the role of internally displaced persons in modernising and constructing civil society in Ukraine. Emphasis is placed on the reception of the Donbas myth in literary and documentary works of the early 21st century. The study observes that contemporary literary research has yet to provide a systematic understanding of this phenomenon, despite existing studies on literary genres, the interplay between historical truth and fiction, and structural elements. The importance of developing a new field within literary studies – namely, the “local urban text” – is underscored. This field includes specific interpretations such as the “eastern text” or the “Donetsk text”. Within this context, the works of Oksana Zabuzhko, Serhiy Zhadan, and Andriy Kokotiukha are analysed. Their essays are considered sources of cultural and conceptual codes that shape contemporary perceptions of Donbas. Thus, the study of the symbolism and mythologisation of Donbas by these authors offers fresh perspectives for literary debates, highlighting the uniqueness and multidimensional richness of this region within the Ukrainian national and cultural context.