Private Life and Family Environment of Yevhen Konovalets in Rome (1936-1979)
Abstract
The purpose of the research paper is to reveal the main aspects of Yevhen Konovalets’ private life and family environment during his residency in Rome from 1936 to 1979.
The scientific novelty. Based on personal sources, the main stages of the ‘Rome’ period of the private life of Yevhen Konovalets, his wife Olha, and their son Yurii have been comprehensively revealed for the first time. The social circle of individuals who contributed to their relocation to Rome, as well as the conditions under which they lived together in a new place, has been identified. The details of the long-awaited meeting between the Konovalets and the family of Andrii Melnyk in 1937, as well as its significance in the personal lives of each participant, have been highlighted. Special attention is paid to the moral and psychological state, living conditions, and interpersonal relationships of O. Konovalets and their son Yurii after the assassination of Ye. Konovalets.
Conclusions. After residing in Geneva for a period of six years, due to political circumstances and family needs, Ye. Konovalets and his family were compelled to leave Switzerland and relocate to Italy for permanent residence. In the ‘Roman’ period of the Konovalets family’s private life, three pivotal stages can be distinguished, the chronological boundaries of which are determined by tragic circumstances: 1) 1936-1938; 2) 1938-1958; 3) 1959-1979.
The key role in choosing Rome as a new place of permanent residence was played by the Italian diplomat Enrico Insabato and Yevhen Onatskyi, the journalist and representative of the OUN in Italy. Notwithstanding the reservations and uncertainty on the part of Ye. Konovalets, the change of residence had a positive effect on his family. According to sources, all family members were pleased with the move. That was facilitated by the warm Italian climate, which had a positive effect on their physical and psychological well-being. An important event in the Konovalets’ private life was a personal meeting with Andrii and Sofia Melnyk.
Concurrently, the ‘Rome’ period of their life was full of tragic events. The first of those was the assassination of Ye. Konovalets in 1938. The second tragedy was the premature death of their only son, Yurii, in 1958. Neither loss deterred O. Konovalets, who continued to participate in public activities actively. In her later years, she began to maintain close ties with her niece, Olha Kuzmovych, who apparently became the closest person and moral support for her aunt. Even though the ‘Rome’ period of their life was full of tragic events, the family of Ye. Konovalets exhibited no inclination to change their principal place of residence. Italy became their ‘second homeland’.
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