The dissertation research, based on a comprehensive analysis of archival documents, publications, memoirs and other sources, clarifies key aspects of the history of theatrical activity in the city of Chernihiv. The research covers the period from the founding of theatrical institutions to their functioning today.
The methodological basis of the dissertation is the general scientific principles of historical knowledge: historicism, objectivity, logic, multifactoriality and the priority of documentary facts. Throughout the research, general scientific methods were applied, including specific search, analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, analogy, modeling, concretization and system analysis. Special historical methods were also used, in particular chronological, content analysis, periodization, actualization, historical-structural, historical-typological, biographical and prosopographic. In addition, special source research methods were used, such as: heuristics, classification, hermeneutics.
Research on theatrical institutions of Chernihiv in the 20th–21st centuries is an important component of the characteristics of the cultural and educational development of the region, but today there is a lack of comprehensive scientific works on this topic. The city's theaters played a key role in the formation of cultural consciousness and reflected social changes through the art of the stage. Despite this, most scientific works are devoted to individual aspects of the history of theaters, do not cover the overall picture of their development and impact on the population. The contribution of scientists such as G.V. Samoilenko, Yu.V. Yakubina, L.V. Studenova, L.T. Zaychik and others is important for revealing the role of theaters in the cultural and educational life of Chernihiv. In addition, studies dedicated to the history of theaters were presented by direct participants in the events, in particular G.S. Kasyanov, V.I. Vashchaev, A.O. Pushkina and others. Their memoirs, essays and chronicles allow us to understand the specifics of the functioning of Chernihiv theaters in different historical periods and their impact on the cultural environment of the region.
The source base of the dissertation research is a set of sources stored in the funds of the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine in Kyiv; the Central State Archive of Public Associations of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as the TsDAGO), the archive of the Institute of History of Ukraine of the NAS of Ukraine, as well as in the electronic library of the Institute of History of Ukraine of the NAS of Ukraine, the Branch State Archive of the Department of the Security Service of Ukraine in Chernihiv Region (hereinafter referred to as the USBU archive in Chernihiv Region); the State Archive of Chernihiv Region (hereinafter referred to as the DACHO); the State Scientific Architectural and Construction Library named after V.G. Zabolotny; the National Library of Ukraine named after V.I. Vernadsky of the NAS of Ukraine; the Chernihiv Regional Universal Scientific Library named after Sofia and Oleksandr Rusov; libraries of the National University "Chernihiv Collegium" named after T.G. Shevchenko.
The developed set of sources can be conditionally divided into several groups. The first group includes periodicals of the city of Chernihiv of the 20th–21st centuries, such as "Desnianska Pravda", "Holos Ukrainy", "Komsomolskyi Gart", "Chernihivske Slovo", "Bolshevik", "Den", "Chernihivskyi Pivden", "Chernihivskie Vedomosti". These publications contain rich factual material on various aspects of the activities of the city's theatrical and educational institutions. The second group is business documentation, which includes administrative, regulatory and reporting materials on the activities of theaters in Chernihiv, stored in state archives and archives of theatrical institutions. The third group consists of memoirs, studies and essays of figures of the cultural and educational sphere who worked in the theaters of Chernihiv at different periods and offer their view on theatrical life. The fourth group of sources includes film, photo and audio documents stored in archives, museums and libraries and reflecting the visual aspects of theatrical life. The fifth group contains pictorial materials such as drawings, illustrations (plot illustrations for performances and productions, illustrations, theater repertoire announcements), original posters and photographs stored in theater archives and private collections. The sixth group of sources is represented by passports of buildings housing theaters, among which there are architectural monuments of local importance.
