The Image of the Smiling Chinese Person ('Kninetz') in the Perception of Ukrainians in the 1920s (Based on the Materials of the First "Vsesvit" Publications)

This study examines the formation of the image of Eastern people, particularly the Chinese, in the minds of Ukrainians during the first half of the 20th century, using the early issues of the "Vsesvit" magazine as a primary source. The magazine features a wide range of publications, including essays, sketches, stories, and commentary on illustrations, depicting the lives and work of individuals from the Middle Kingdom. "Vsesvit" provides a rich collection of materials from the first quarter of the 20th century, offering valuable insights for the study of this subject. The article's scientific significance lies in expanding literary discussions related to Ukrainians' perception of "other" and "foreign" worlds, specifically China and its people. Imagination plays a crucial role in this regard, as it helps interpret the images of the "other" or the "alien" and focuses on ethnic representations of various national cultures. This research aims to understand the distinctive characteristics of the image formation of individuals from a different culture in the imagination of Ukrainians at the beginning of the 20th century. The article not only identifies the distinctive traits of the Eastern individuals but also highlights the Ukrainian perspective on the people from the Middle Kingdom during that era. As is often the case, looking at others provides insights into oneself. The article explores the main character traits of individuals from the Middle Kingdom as perceived by Ukrainians, offering numerous examples of their lives in Ukraine, the Far East, and Shanghai, while also discussing the Chinese people referred to as "khodia" and "kuli" and their speech peculiarities. Employing a descriptive research method, the article traces the "struggle" reflected in the pages of "Vsesvit" regarding the names used for the Middle Kingdom: "Khina" or "Kytai" (China), "Khinets" or "Kytaiets" (Chinese). This struggle mirrors the socio-political processes of that time in Ukraine. The article also indicates the genres in which the terms "Hina" or "Kytai" were more frequently used, as well as those inclined towards "Khinets" and "Kytaiets." It is hypothesized that the magazine's narratives featuring smiling Chinese individuals were well-suited for the humor (lit. "smile" in Ukrainian) genre initiated by Ostap Vyshnya — "Chinese smiles," in a manner of speaking, — although they were not developed as a separate thematic cycle of humorous writings, or "smiles".