The problem of generation conflict: features of discussion in the lviv newspaper "Novyi Chas" (1932)

The paper examines the features of discussion about the worsening relations between senior citizens and youth in Galicia. The discussion was launched and led in the Lviv newspaper “Novyi Chas” published by Ivan Tyktor’s “Ukrainska Presa” (“Ukrainian Press”) publishing house. Thematically it touched on acute social problems, which newspapers’ journalists described as deserving for immediate constructive attention and articulation of the most difficult aspects and outlining the effective ways of its solution. It was noted that in 1932 the conflict between the older and younger generations in Galicia reached its critical point, which was caused not only by the consequences of the economic crisis on the edge of 1920s and 1930s, but also by the youths’ fascination with the newest political doctrines. The author demonstrates the important role of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky’s “Word to Ukrainian Youth” in starting the discussion.

The article characterizes the reasons for discussion, the way of its running in the newspaper, and especially its editorial moderating. Much attention is paid to the public aspects of the discussion. The author analyzes the publications by political, cultural figures, publicists, journalists and student youth’s representatives, who tried not only to reveal the reasons for the confrontation, but also attempted to minimize the challenges associated with “age” misunderstandings, and to find opportunities for consolidating Ukrainian society in general. Among them were the publications by Bohdan Halaichuk, Dmytro Kuzyk, Yaroslava Mandiukova, Yuri Lypa, Yevhen Onatskyi, Mykhailo Strutynskyi, etc. Their understanding of the conflict’s causes is highlighted, and their journalistic skill in discussing such irritating problem is stressed.

The publications in other Lviv press newspapers, particularly “Vohni”, “Dilo”, “Meta”, “Nova Zorya”) are also examined, especially due to their precise attention to the discussion and joining it by publishing articles on their own pages. The study of the discussion confirms that journalists demonstrated their high professional skills both in covering such socially important issues and in organizing the society to conduct discussions in the press, which was afterwards resulted in a constructive solution.

Keywords: Andrey Sheptytskyi, Novy Chas, newspaper, discussion, Lviv press, editorial office, youth, older generation.

doi: 10.32403/0554-4866-2022-1-83-97-109