Reclaiming Identity: Digital Storytelling as a Tool for Ukraine’s Post-Soviet Counter-Narrative

This thesis investigates how digital storytelling empowers Ukraine to assert a distinct post-Soviet identity by reclaiming its language, culture, and historical narrative from colonial and imperial distortions. The goal of this research is to explore how digital platforms can act as tools for creating and disseminating counter-narratives that challenge historical inaccuracies and cultural erasures perpetuated during the Soviet era. The thesis aims to bridge the theoretical and practical aspects of digital storytelling by analyzing its role in deconstructing propaganda, combating cognitive warfare, and addressing the legacies of Soviet historiography. The research examines key concepts such as participatory culture, convergence culture, and the influence of digital media in fostering national identity and community resilience. A central focus of this study is to evaluate how Ukrainian digital storytelling initiatives function as mechanisms for reclaiming and preserving identity in the face of ongoing post-Soviet challenges, including propaganda and information warfare. Through content analysis of selected digital projects, the research highlights both the opportunities and obstacles in this process. By combining theoretical insights with practical evaluations, this thesis underscores the significance of digital storytelling in correcting historical distortions, empowering marginalized voices, and fostering a cohesive narrative for Ukraine’s post-Soviet identity in the digital age.