Mykola Zakovych as a Theoretician of Ritualism

Abstract

In the article of O. Kyselov «Mykola Zakovych as a Theoretician of Ritualism» the academic works of the Soviet period of professor Mykola Zakovych (1931-2017) devoted to ritualism are examined. The author explores definitions of key concepts and correlation between rituals and similar phenomena – ceremony, festival, tradition, and custom. It is noted that professor Zakovych often wrote not just about rites, but about “rites and festivals” because rites were integral part of festivals. The author of the article pays his attention to the problem of the evolution of ritualism and its understanding through the categories of “form” and “substance”. The place of religious rites in the evolution of ritualism and its critique are paid examined. Zakovych was one of the first scholars who focused on aesthetical and psychological effect of religious rites. The article revealed Zakovych’s explanation of the short-lasting “red ritualism” in the 1920’s.. Zakovych’s understanding of Soviet ritualism and its atheistic function are observed. The author of the article concludes that Zakovych’s academic works could be actualized not only in the academic study of religion but in the governmental policy of Ukraine as well.