2024 Friesen Lectures | Lecture 2: The Mennonites ‘Return’ to Ukraine

Featuring Dr. Nataliya Venger, Professor of History and Chair of the World History Department at Dnipropetrovsk National University, Ukraine
The Mennonites, who lost their Ukrainian homeland due to political and religious repression during the 1920s-1940s, preserved memories of their past for several decades. Their "return" to Ukraine became possible only in the new political realities when the country gained independence. While the initial visits were merely expressions of nostalgic tourism, that return quickly evolved into a socially active phenomenon involving elements of public diplomacy and philanthropy, fostering cooperation and mutual enrichment of cultures. It was crucial for the Mennonites to reintegrate into the public and historical context of Ukraine. They initiated significant commemorative projects, driven by a sense of duty to their ancestors and their former homeland. This "return" to historical memory helped the ethno-confessional group address its longstanding social trauma resulting from the loss of their homeland and the unjust policies imposed by the Communist regime.
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