THE MONTENEGRO NARRATIVEBLACK COUNCIL OF PANTELEIMON KULISH

The article analyses the Montenegrin narrative in the first Ukrainian novel Black Council by Panteleimon Kulish. In addition to historical figures, fictional characters act in it. One of the most colourful images are two Zaporozhian Cossacks – Ukrainian Kyrylo Tur and Montenegrin Bohdan Chornohor, who take an active part in many episodes of the work. The author cites documentary evidence about the stay of Montenegrin youths in the Zaporizhzhya army, notes the closeness of national characters, common features in the everyday life and customs of both Slavic peoples. The rite of brotherhood, performed in the church by Kyrylo Tur and Bohdan Chornohor, acquires a symbolic meaning in the novel. The writer emphasizes that the Montenegrin is not inferior to the Ukrainian Cossack in his chivalrous qualities, strength and courage, and with his prudence and restraint he tries to warn against reckless actions. His role is especially growing during the Zaporizhzhya court-martial of Kyrylo Tur. Bohdan Chornohor is trying with all his might to protect named brother from inhuman torture. It is significant that the Montenegrin is always present in the narrative paradigm of the text when Kyrylo Tur appears there. At the same time, the author often uses individual Montenegrin words to give his character a national flavour. For the first time in Ukrainian prose, Kulish created a romantic image of Montenegro, which impressed him with the heroic struggle for its independence, the chivalrous prowess of Montenegrin youth. Therefore, the concept of the brotherhood of Kyrylo Tur and Bohdan Chornohor naturally develops in the parallel discourses of Zaporozhian Sich and Montenegro as unshakable strongholds of the national liberation movements of both peoples.