Https://au.archives.gov.ua/index.php/au/article/view/279

The aim of the article is to conduct a comparative analysis of the concepts of Polonica and Ucrainica, to identify the key areas and outcomes of the activities undertaken by academic and archival institutions in Poland and Ukraine in the field of identification, study, preservation, and representation of documentary collections related to Polish and Ukrainian history. Special attention is paid to approaches to understanding and practical application of the concept of «common archival heritage». The methodological framework of the research is based on the historical-genetic and comparative approaches, as well as the principles of comprehensiveness, objectivity, continuity, and interdisciplinarity. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comparative analysis of Polonica and Ucrainica through the lens of state policy in the field of archival affairs and cultural heritage preservation, as well as the activities of archival and academic institutions in Ukraine and Poland. The concepts of Polonica and Ucrainica are examined not only within the framework of academic discourse, but also in the broader context of national identity formation, collective memory, and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. Conclusions. The comparative analysis has made it possible to identify both similarities and differences in state policy, as well as in the practices of preserving and presenting documentary collections of Polonica and Ucrainica in Poland and Ukraine. In both countries, efforts to accumulate, register, and describe these collections have been ongoing since the 19th century. However, the conceptualization of these notions and the formation of scholarly traditions for studying Ucrainica and Polonica took place in the contemporary period (late 20th – early 21st century). These collections have played an important role in shaping national self-awareness and contributing to state-building processes. At the same time, over the past thirty years, the Republic of Poland has pursued a more consistent and active state policy in the protection, preservation, and digitization of Polish cultural heritage abroad. An important area of activity for archival institutions in both Ukraine and Poland is the digitization of documentary collections and their accessibility in the online space. In the context of the full-scale war, Ukrainian archivists are taking all possible measures to safeguard archival heritage while creating conditions for its study and representation.