Svoboda (in Ukrainian: «Свобода» — "Liberty")[1] is the oldest existing Ukrainian newspaper and the most widely read in the Western world.[2]
History
Svoboda was founded in Jersey City, New Jersey[3] on 11 September 1893 by Father Hryhorii Hrushka. On February 22, 1894, the Ukrainian National Association (UNA) adopted the newspaper as its organ.[4] It became a bi-weekly newspaper on 1 March 1894, a tri-weekly on 8 August 1914, and a daily on 3 January 1921. Svoboda served as a 'mouthpiece" for Ukrainians in North America, and played an important role in the discussing and solving of immigrant difficulties. Prior to the establishment of Ukrainian-Canadian periodicals (such as the Kanadiiskyi Farmer), it was the only Ukrainian-language newspaper of any note in Canada[5] but was banned by the country during World War II for its pro-Nazi sympathies.[6]
Svoboda n° 129, 1916
Outside of North America, Ukrainians in Brazil, Galicia, and Bukovina also subscribed to it. It provided a channel of communication for those of the intelligentsia concerned with emigration of Ukrainian peasants and life in the New World;[5] they used the paper to guide them into improved lifestyles and conformance to the ideals of European civilization.[citation needed] Through a program of enlightenment, Svoboda promoted the establishment of Ukrainian schools as well as the learning of Ukrainian language and history.[5]
