One day that changed the world
Ukrainians, Jews and the 25th anniversary of Babi Yar
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
On 29 September 1966, a large number of Ukrainians and Jews gathered at Babi Yar to commemorate the Jewish victims of the massacre of 1941. The communist party regime responded with repressive measures. Yet for those who took part, this demonstration of courage, humanity and dignity marked the beginning of a new relationship between Ukrainians and Jews. A public realm was created in which both groups were able to express their self-awareness. Jewish and Ukrainian thinkers realised that they shared a common fate. The speech given by Ivan Dziuba dedicated to the victims of Babi Yar had a strong impact on national Ukrainian thinking among dissidents and the diaspora for decades to come. And for many Jews, Babi Yar became a crystallisation point for their own national liberation movement.
(Osteuropa 1-2/2021, pp. 87–115)