Nationhood in the Age of Empires
In this HUM:Global Talk! speakers will discuss how Ukranian nationhood emerged while Ukrainian lands were divided between competing empires and political orders.
The conversation will trace this development across several centuries - from earlier traditions of self-rule and the legacy of the Hetmanate to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when questions of language, identity, political representation and national belonging became increasingly central. The discussion will explore how these different historical experiences shaped the emergence of a modern Ukrainian political community and how Ukraine’s path to nationhood was connected to broader transformations taking place across Europe.
The event is the first in a four-part series exploring Ukraine’s history as an integral part of European history.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events in the series in November 2026, December 2026 and February 2027!
Speakers
| Dr. Serhiy Bilenky | Research Associate at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, and historian of Ukraine between empire and nation. |
| Maksym Eristavi | Award-winning author of Russian Colonialism 101, journalist, podcaster, and public intellectual working on questions of colonialism, identity, and Ukraine’s place in Europe. |
Discussant
| Mogens Pelt | Associate Professor of History at the Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen |
| Haakon A. Ikonomou | Associate Professor of Global History at Saxo Institute,University of Copenhagen |
Registration
The event is free, but registration is required.