Values that shape identity: “Archetype of the Nation” project launched in Kyiv

A new multimedia initiative titled Archetype of the Nation has been unveiled in Kyiv. It aims to explore Ukrainians’ defining traits through folklore, mythology, and modern reflections on shared values. The project’s first season features 12 episodes, each devoted to a particular aspect of the Ukrainian character. The series combines interviews with well-known Ukrainians, essays by folklorists, and live folklore performances by project participants.

The presentation took place at the Media Center Ukraine.

Writer and project author Nick Lysytskyi, who also heads the public organization Magic World UA, said folk art has long served as the foundation of modern values, a reason it is vital today to “piece together the puzzle” of Ukrainian identity and renew interest in national mythology.

“In this project, we explored how the values that form the foundation of the Ukrainian nation are reflected in folklore,” Lysytskyi explained. “We identified 12 distinct values, though there could be more. One of our goals was to spark a broader discussion about which values are truly defining and core for Ukrainians. To do that, we spoke with different heroes representing various population segments.”

The search for answers about national identity in folklore and mythology unfolds through conversations with guests, including Jesuit priest and military chaplain Andrii Zelinskyi, veteran and writer Valerii Markus, chef and restaurateur Yevhen Klopotenko, military psychologist Andrii Kozinchuk, educator Valeriia Abdal, rapper Blackfish, TV host and actor Petro Maha, and folklorist Raisa Zakletska.

Throughout the season, audiences can expect 12 episodes, each focused on a specific value – from prudence and justice to emotional depth and love of freedom.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news