Journal of Interned Soldiers of the UNR Army «Nasha Zoria» in Łancut Camp (Poland): Source and Information Potential

Abstract

The article reproduces the peculiarities of interned Ukrainian soldiers' everyday life in the Lancut camp (Poland) during the first half of 1921 by conducting a frontal analysis of the materials of the journal "Nasha Zoria" ("Our Dawn"), which was published in the above-mentioned camp. From the very beginning of its existence, the journal was able to unite a large part of the camp members, who not only read each of its issues but also wrote to the editorial office, offering their materials for publication. At the same time, it should be noted that "Nasha Zoria" managed to go beyond Lancut – part of its edition went to other internment camps of the UNR Army and was also available (through the subscription system) for all Ukrainian political emigrants in Poland. Therefore, despite the small general circulation, the weekly managed to get a numerical readership among the campers. Since the journal's editorial board did not have enough funds to distribute a sufficient circulation of "Nasha Zoria" – it was forced to appeal to its readers with a request for donations to its press fund. This appeal did not go unanswered – thanks to the cash revenues from campers, Ukrainian emigrant organizations in Poland, as well as individual civilians, the editors of the weekly, managed to ensure a fairly regular release of all its issues. It was also significant that the latter constantly took care of improving the printing quality of the journal, being able to move from semi-artisanal methods (handwriting the cover, printing the layout of the issue on a typewriter, shapirograph) to the printing set and replication of the journal. Throughout the initial phase of its existence (December-July 1921), the weekly "Nasha Zoria" remained one of the few nutritious sources for the interned soldiers of the UPR Army in the Lancut camp, strengthening their faith in the future and adding strength and energy to the army for further work, gain knowledge, own development, spiritual and national growth.