The Shevchenko Library and Archive in London: History of its Creation and Collection Formation

This study, in anticipation of the 80th anniversary of the T. Shevchenko Library and Archive in London, aims to highlight the key motivations behind its creation, trace the development and activities of the institution, and examine the evolution of its collection. The research is based on archival documents from the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) and periodicals from the mid-20th century. Despite its historical significance, this topic has not been thoroughly explored and remains underrepresented in Ukrainian historiography. Methodology. The article employs a detailed analysis of primary documentary sources to offer direct evidence on the subject. It synthesizes and generalizes information obtained from various archives and sources. The scientific significance and novelty of this work lie in its historiographical contribution. For the first time, it reviews and clarifies the documentary history of the Shevchenko Library’s creation, activities, and development up to the present. Key sources from the AUGB archive in London are introduced into scientific circulation, reflecting pivotal events and individuals who influenced the institution’s work. Notably, the documents of the Shevchenko Jubilee Committee, established in 1960, are also analysed, shedding light on the institution’s operations over the years. Conclusions. This research provides, for the first time, a comprehensive account of the creation of a Ukrainian library in London and its ongoing activities in exile for nearly 80 years. What began as a modest reading room in 1945 has evolved into one of the largest Ukrainian emigration libraries in Europe. Its collection encompasses rare and invaluable emigration publications, 20th-century periodicals from the West, old printed works, a unique archival collection, and an art collection that continues to generate significant interest among Ukrainian historians, archivists, and museum professionals. References: 1. Davydyuk, R., & Troian, S. (2019). Social and political activity of Mykyta Bura in the age of the Second Polish Republic. In Seminare, 40(4), 147‒158 [in English]. https://doi.org/10.21852/sem.2019.4.112. Kovtanyuk, N. et al. (Comps.) (2003). Holodomor 1932‒33 movoiu documentiv / Ukraine 1932‒33 : Genocide Denied. 70th Anniversary. London. 46 s. [in Ukrainian & English]. 3. Kurliak, F. (2016). Naukova konferentsiia do 70-richchia Souzu Ukraintsiv u Velykii Brytanii [Scientific conference on the 70th anniversary of the Ukrainian Association of Great Britain]. Kraeznavstvo, 3‒4, 302‒307 [in Ukrainian].4. Matsko, V. P., & Pekarska, L. (2013). Kovaliv Petro. In Entsyklopediya Suchasnoi Ukrainy (I. M. Dzyuba, A. I. Zhukovsky, & M. G. Zheleznyak et al., Eds.). (Vol. 13). Kyiv. Retrieved from https://esu.com.ua/article-9079 [in Ukrainian].5. Pekarska, L. (2007). Yuvilei Ukrainskoi Biblioteky v Londoni [Anniversary of the Ukrainian Library in London]. Kupola, 4, 75‒78 [in Ukrainian].6. Pekarska, L. (2017). Biblioteka i Arkhiv im. T. Shevchenka – 70-richchia : Novi nadkhodzhennia, doslidzhennia, spivpratsia [T. Shevchenko Library and Archives – 70th Anniversary : New Acquisitions, Research, Collaboration]. Ukrainska Dumka, 12 (17 cherv., pp. 8–9); 13 (1 lyp., pp. 8–9) [in Ukrainian].7. Pekarska, L., & Ananieva, T. (2024). «Napysaty knyzhku spohadiv – moya mriya» : Z dokumentalnoi istorii «Spohadiv» Natalii Polonskoi-Vasylenko [«It is my dream to write my memoirs» : from the documentary history of Natalia Polonska-Vasylenko «Memoirs»]. Arkhivy Ukrainy, 4, 60–87 [in Ukrainian].8. Pekarska, L., & Fedorova, L. (2016). «Khto my? Chui my dity? Khto buly nashi predky?» (do 140-richchya vid dnya narodzhennya i 60-richchya vid dnya smerti Vadyma Shcherbakivskoho) [«Who are we? Whose children are we? Who were our ancestors?» (on the 140th anniversary of the birth and 60th anniversary of the death of Vadym Shcherbakivsky)]. Kraeznavstvo, 3–4, 220–240 [in Ukrainian].9. Ralduhina, T., & Kovtanyuk, N. (2006). A Requiem for Chornobyl. 20th Anniversary. Exhibition Catalogue. London. 46 s. [in Ukrainian & English]. 10. Tykhenko, V. (2021). Ukrainets Stefan Terletskyi (1927–2006) – vidomyi brytanskyi polityk i hromadskyi diyach (za dokumentamy TsDAZU) [Ukrainian-born Stefan Terlezki (1927–2006) – a prominent British politician and public figure (as evidenced by records held by the TsDAZU)]. Arkhivy Ukrainy, 1, 226–237 [in Ukrainian].