
Dr. Olena Saikovska, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, presented a lecture on the current state of Ukrainian Studies in Germany, discussing both the challenges and future prospects of this academic field.
The survey examines the transformative impact of the war in Ukraine on Slavic studies in the German academic environment. German universities, traditionally focused on Russian studies, have recognized an urgent need to reassess both educational programs and approaches to teaching, as well as their own perspective on the development of Slavic studies. Scoping meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars held in the German academic environment since 2022 are intended to update and systematize the achievements of German Slavic studies and outline new perspectives for its development. Special emphasis has been placed on Ukrainian studies after the full-scale invasion.
Before 2022, the Ukrainian language was insufficiently represented both as a language to be studied in language courses and as a language that could be studied as a first/main or second one within the programs of Slavic departments. It was not offered as part of teacher qualification programs.
Since 2022 the situation has been changing; Ukrainian language has been included in the offerings for study in Slavic departments of many universities, in addition, there is an opportunity to learn not only Ukrainian language (at level B2 and even above) but also literature and history within educational programs. However, German scholars still do not see the possibility of introducing Ukrainian as a component for teacher qualification, despite the large number of Ukrainian children in German educational institutions.
German scholars emphasize the need to expand their boundaries in order to offer ‘full Slavistics’ in universities. However, they highlight insufficient funding and a lack of interest among applicants in Slavic studies as major challenges.