SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ACTIVITY OF MYKHAILO ZUBRYTSKYI

Abstract

The article highlights the social and political activities of the famous Greek-Catholic priest, ethnographer, researcher, folklorist, publicist, active member of the National Academy of Sciences Mykhailo Zubrytskyi (1856–1919). The main aspects of his participation in the social and political life of Ukraine at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries are outlined. Mykhailo Zubrytsky was a parish priest for many years in the village of Mshanets, Starosambir District. In 1894 and 1895, he applied as a candidate in the additional election of ambassador, but did not win. During the elections, in publications in the press, Mykhailo Zubrytskyi analyzed election trends in Boykivshyn (in Starosambir, Syanotskyi, Liskyi counties, in Turkivshchyna), helped the local population to find their way in choosing a candidate.

Mykhailo Zubrytskyi was the founder of “Prosvity” reading rooms (the head of the reading room in the village of Mshanets), shops in the villages of Starosambir and Turkiv districts, he took care of raising the educational level of the villagers and improving their economic situation. Established reading rooms became a public space for creativity, learning, communication, joint affairs, and assistance.

In his publications in periodicals, the priest highlighted the acute problems of Ukrainian life: poverty, illiteracy, inertia, indifference, labor migration, political struggle,

aimed at improving the situation of Ukrainians and raising their national consciousness. His life was an example of active participation, care, responsibility.

Keywords: Mykhailo Zubrytskyi, priest, Boiko rehion, social and political activity, elections, Prosvita.

the role of the Greek-Catholic clergy, criticized Muscophilism, and supported the Narodites. Mykhailo Zubrytskyi’s social and political activities were