Throughout history, dominant powers have often appropriated the achievements, talents, and even identities of the people they conquered or controlled. In the case of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, this practice extended to entire nations, whose cultural, scientific, and historical contributions were subsumed under a “Russian” identity. Many figures from Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, the Baltic states, Central Asia, and other regions were celebrated as Russian icons, despite their distinct national backgrounds. This erasure of identity not only silenced the voices of oppressed peoples but also allowed Russia to build a narrative of cultural and intellectual dominance.
This blog post explores the idea of “stolen legacy”—the appropriation of cultural, scientific, and historical achievements by the Russian Empire and Soviet Union from the nations they controlled.
The Erasure of National Identity Under Russian Rule
During the expansion of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, countless peoples were subjugated and stripped of their identities. Ukraine, Georgia, the Baltic states, and Central Asia were among the most affected. The policy of Russification sought to suppress local languages, traditions, and identities, often through brutal means. Ukrainian, Georgian, and other national cultures were deemed inferior or dangerous to the unity of the empire, and their prominent figures were often forced to assimilate or face repression.
A key part of this process was claiming individuals of these nations as Russian, despite their distinct ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The empire's reach extended into the fields of literature, science, art, and sports, where talented individuals from non-Russian backgrounds were celebrated as “Russian” simply because they operated under the Russian banner or had been forced to adopt Russian language and identity.
Nikolai Gogol is a prime example of a figure caught between two worlds. Born in what is now Ukraine, Gogol is often celebrated as one of the giants of Russian literature. Yet, his works are deeply infused with Ukrainian folklore, humor, and cultural references. Despite his strong Ukrainian roots, Gogol wrote in Russian and was absorbed into the Russian literary canon, largely because Ukrainian-language writing and expression were heavily suppressed at the time. While Gogol’s work is undeniably important to Russian literature, his Ukrainian identity was overshadowed by his association with the Russian Empire, making him a symbol of the complex dynamics between Russia and Ukraine.
Contrast this with Taras Shevchenko, Gogol’s contemporary and one of the most significant figures in Ukrainian history. Shevchenko chose a different path—writing in Ukrainian and becoming a vocal advocate for the preservation of Ukrainian culture and language. His stance led to severe punishment by Russian authorities, including imprisonment and exile. Shevchenko’s fate underscores the risks faced by those who resisted Russification and highlights the systemic suppression of non-Russian identities.
Scientific Achievements Appropriated by the Empire
In the realm of science, many individuals from non-Russian backgrounds made groundbreaking contributions that were later celebrated as Russian achievements. For example, Ivan Puliui, a Ukrainian physicist, was a pioneer in the field of X-ray technology, discovering the phenomenon independently of Wilhelm Röntgen. Despite this, his Ukrainian identity was often overshadowed, and his scientific contributions were absorbed into the broader Russian narrative.
Similarly, Ilya Mechnikov, a Ukrainian-born immunologist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on phagocytosis, a process key to understanding the immune system. Although his career took him to France, his early education and research were conducted in the Russian Empire. Like many other scientists of non-Russian origin, Mechnikov’s legacy was claimed by Russia, though his Ukrainian roots were integral to his identity.
Musical and Artistic Contributions: Suppression and Assimilation
In the world of music and the arts, Ukrainian-born Mykola Lysenko was a composer who championed Ukrainian folk music and culture. He fiercely resisted pressure to translate his operas and songs into Russian, even as he faced repression from the Russian authorities. Lysenko’s work was a powerful act of resistance, but like many others, he operated within a system that sought to diminish the importance of Ukrainian cultural identity in favor of Russian dominance.
Another figure of great importance is Solomiya Krushelnytska, a world-renowned opera singer from Ukraine. Despite achieving international fame and performing at the most prestigious opera houses across Europe, her Ukrainian heritage was often downplayed in favor of a more neutral or Russian identity. Like many artists, Krushelnytska had to navigate a cultural landscape that prioritized Russian language and culture, even when her heart and roots were firmly Ukrainian.
Athletes and the Soviet Machine
In sports, the Soviet Union consistently appropriated the talents of athletes from across the various republics, claiming their successes as “Soviet” rather than acknowledging their distinct national identities. Athletes from Ukraine, the Baltic States, Central Asia, and Caucasus were celebrated as heroes of the Soviet Union, with little recognition of their true heritage.
For instance, many Olympic champions hailed from non-Russian regions of the Soviet Union, but their identities were erased in favor of the broader Soviet narrative. Ukrainian gymnast Larisa Latynina, one of the most successful Olympians of all time, competed under the Soviet flag and was celebrated as a Soviet hero, but her Ukrainian identity was downplayed in the broader narrative of Soviet sports achievements.
The Legacy of Suppression: Reclaiming National Identities
The systematic suppression of non-Russian cultures and identities in the Russian Empire and Soviet Union has left a lasting impact on the nations once under its control. Today, many of these countries, particularly Ukraine, are actively reclaiming their historical figures, scientists, writers, and cultural icons who were previously absorbed into the Russian narrative.
In Ukraine’s case, this process of reclaiming national identity has been a powerful element of its modern independence movement. Figures like Shevchenko, Lysenko, and Mechnikov are being celebrated as Ukrainians, not Russians or Soviets, as part of a broader effort to restore the cultural and historical heritage that was suppressed or co-opted during centuries of foreign rule.
This effort extends beyond Ukraine. Nations like Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and the Central Asian republics are all actively reclaiming their national heroes, whose legacies were once overshadowed by the dominant Russian narrative.
Conclusion: The Importance of Acknowledging Stolen Legacies
The appropriation of cultural, scientific, and historical achievements by the Russian Empire and Soviet Union from the nations they controlled is a form of historical erasure. It is crucial to recognize and reclaim the legacies of these individuals as part of the distinct national heritages to which they truly belonged. Figures like Nikolai Gogol, Ivan Puliui, Solomiya Krushelnytska, and Taras Shevchenko are not just icons of Russian or Soviet history, but representatives of their respective nations—Ukraine, Georgia, the Baltics, and beyond—whose contributions to global culture and science were made despite the efforts to suppress their national identities.
As these nations continue to assert their independence and reclaim their histories, it is vital to shine a light on the stolen legacies of the past and to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures that the Russian Empire and Soviet Union sought to erase.
This is just the first in a series of posts where we will explore specific figures from various nations whose legacies were absorbed into the Russian narrative. Stay tuned for deeper dives into the lives and works of these remarkable individuals, and the ongoing efforts to reclaim their true identities.
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