The Ukrainian Herald (Український вісник) was published anonymously in 1970, and is regarded as the first underground newspaper, or reoccurring “samizdat” in Ukraine. However, the origin of samizdat plays a significant role in the creation of The Ukrainian Herald. The term “samizdat” was originally coined in the 1940s by Soviet era poet, Nikolai Glazkov, which derives its meaning from the words sam (“self”), and a shortened version of Izdatelstvo (“publishing house”). Glazkov signed unpublishable poems with this term, and it slowly became a word that represented a majority of political DIY or grassroots publishing across the Soviet Union. Samizdat were typically written on a typewriter, or hand lettered, and were often used to recreate and produce banned literature, sharing information on political and social issues being censored by the Soviet Union. These publications were primarily singular pieces of writing, poems, journals, or articles, as it made it easier to remain anonymous. Although, due to extremely strict censorship regulations under the rule of Joseph Stalin, samizdat wouldn’t become a common practice or find its way into Ukraine until the late 1950s.
However, the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 would give rise to a new liberation movement composed of Ukrainian writers, graphic designers, illustrators, performers and intellectuals known as the “Shestydesyatnyky,” or “Sixtiers.” The Sixtiers arose during a period referred to as “Krushchev’s thaw” following the death of Stalin when former Soviet chairman Kikita Khrushchev loosened strict government control and censorship, announcing a period of “peaceful coexistence.” While censorship laws were still strict, this period shed light on many of Stalin’s crimes, leading to the release of millions of political prisoners from Gulags, and removed death penalties for political speech. Krushchev’s thaw not only inspired activism, but this brief societal change made the creation of samizdat less dangerous.
The Sixtiers aimed to spread awareness on human rights violations, socialism, and to protect and revive Ukrainian culture, breaking away from socialist realism that was mandated by Stalin. Consecutively, there was a rise in appreciation for pre-Stalinist avant garde, visual arts, literature, and cultural heritage. Although, many of the Sixtiers were also known as dissidents; people who actively criticized the Soviet Union and its policies. Of these dissidents was a politician named Viacheslav Chornovil, who would later become one of the main editors for The Ukrainian Herald.
However, in 1964, Nikita Khrushchev would be removed from power, and harsh censorship laws would return. As the Soviet Union transitioned into the 1970s, many politicians, writers, and creatives were at great risk, which would impact the publication of samizdat. Regardless, members of the Sixtiers wanted to speak out against the injustices, only this time, in the form of a reoccurring article. There was a lot of hesitation as a reoccurring article would imply the works of a larger group, and would draw more attention to the members of the Sixtiers. Regardless of the risk, Viacheslav Chornovil carried out the project and in January of 1970, the first article of The Ukrainian Herald was released. It would continue for another 6 articles, becoming the first uncensored, reoccurring samizdat, shedding light on human rights violations, information on political prisoners, suppressed history, and banned literature. However, the concerns of a continuous journal would prove correct, and in 1972, the Soviet Union sent a general pogrom after the remaining Sixtiers, with one of the very first targets being The Ukrainian Herald.
Regardless of its forced hiatus, The Ukrainian Herald remained an incredibly impactful publication for the people of Ukraine, and stands as an important part of Ukrainian design history, and a powerful sign of resistance. Not only did it shed awareness on the lives and injustices experienced by the Ukrainian people, but also recorded a heavily censored part of Soviet History that may not have been seen otherwise. Even though The Ukrainian Herald would initially see its end in 1972, it would later return, continuing until 1989, releasing a total of 13 issues.
REFERENCES
Derevinskyi , v. . (2023). “the Ukrainian herald” – a journal of the Ukrainian resistance (1970 – 1972). East European historical bulletin, (29), 173–183. Https://doi.org/10.24919/2519-058x.29.292929
Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine. (2026). Ukraïns’kyi visnyk. Encyclopedia of Ukraine. https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CU%5CK%5CUkraI5nshDAkyivisnykIT.htm
Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group. (2026). Ukrainian Herald. KHPG. https://museum.khpg.org/en/1628665354
Yunak, D. O. (2024). Russian Adventist "Samizdat" Literature. ESDA. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=CD6R
Zakharov, Y. (2005, September 21). History of dissent in Ukraine. KHPG. https://museum.khpg.org/en/1127288239
Kolesnikov, A. (2023, November 10). The History of Khrushchev’s Thaw Is a Mirror for Modern Russia. Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2023/11/the-history-of-khrushchevs-thaw-is-a-mirror-for-modern-russia
