Considering Slavia Islamica and Ukraine

The considerations about Slavia Islamica are divided in two parts. In Part one I outline some preconditions and locate the theoretical framework within Slavia Islamica as a concept. Part two gives several examples from Ukrainian literature and culture as part of a conceptualization of Slavia Islamica as a “contact zone” (Mary Pratt). This approach opens new research perspectives in the entangled sociocultural history of this region and the interactions of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians. The research will shed light on questions of Ukrainian self-perception and as well on external perceptions of Ukraine and Ukrainian identity. Against this background, questions of Slavia Islamica stress Ukrainian-Crimean Tatar intercultural relations and their significance in Ukraine’s past and present.