Conclusion

Far greater a threat than even the most chauvinist of Ukrainians, the lack of involvement by young people in the movement is a ticking time bomb as older members die off with no one to take their places. This problem is perhaps even greater than the threat of assimilation, and after more than ten years, Rusyn leaders have finally begun to address this, perhaps their movement’s greatest weak-ness. At the most recent, sixth, World Congress of Rusyns held last October in Prague, the World Congress of Rusyns (WCR) resolved to convene a World Forum of Rusyn Youth (WFRY) in June 2003 in Prešov, Slovakia, concurrent with the 7^th World Congress. However, at the time of the resolution, no youth organizations existed – indeed few of the existing organizations even had a significant youth membership base upon which to draw.

By the time the first World Forum of Rusyn Youth convened in June 2003, organizations existed in Poland, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro and Ukraine, and observer delegations also attended from Germany, North America and Russia. Delegations from the Czech Republic and Hungary were invited but unable to attend.

The formation of these and other organizations dedicated to Rusyn young people are a major weapon in the Rusyns’ fight against assimilation, and the protection of their culture. Serbia’s Pakt Rutenorum has adopted MAK as its official organ, and has continued that magazine’s focus on pop culture. The first event organized by the Association of Rusyn Youth of Slovakia back in late 2002 was a concert which featured traditional folk songs in modern arrangements, which is a sign that this organization will also support the development of pop culture. As youth organizations take more and more steps like this, a real pop culture will emerge.

Resolving the schizophrenia apparent in Rusyn culture is clearly not impossible. Rusyns are already engaged in a wide range of activities which form the core of a fledgling pop culture, which will easily bridge the gap between the village church and Andy Warhol.

While the work of various individuals is important, it is not enough. The Rusyn-language media, Rusyn-oriented websites and Rusyn youth organizations must tackle the issue of popularizing those works already in existence and those still coming to light in order to create a true pop culture. In order for a true pop culture to crystallize, it must be taken up by the people. In order to for this to happen, pop culture work must be brought to people’s attention. And this will not only benefit those currently working to form a modern Rusyn pop culture – there is a practical benefit to all this as well: the more Rusyn-language media, say, promotes pop culture, the more young people will be interested in their publications, resulting in higher sales and subscription rates. The same idea can be applied to websites and youth groups.

BP. Originally printed in Outpost Dispatch, Volume 2, Issue 5, May 2004.