IMAGE OF THE GYPSY IN UKRAINIAN FOLKLORE: CONSTANTNESS VS PLASTICITY

Abstract

The proposed article is devoted to the study of the image of a gypsy as one of the foreign ethnic characters in Ukrainian folklore. It is known that the study of the relations between the representatives of ethnic minorities develops in the system of the coordinates "OWN – OTHERS". Necessity to study such relationships is especially intensified in the periods of existential challenges, one of which is the war. The impetus for writing this article was a real fact that happened after russian military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, when ethnic Roma stole an enemy tank. The author of the article aims to investigate whether the image of the gypsy has been transformed in modern folklore, if compared with classical folklore texts. The study of the image of the gypsy in Ukrainian folklore has been the focus of attention of many scientists for a long time. The collections of the folklorists who recorded the texts in which the gypsy appears, are mentioned. The works, which highlighted the image of the gypsy in folklore, are analyzed. In addition to fairy-tale and non-tale prose, the image of the gypsy is also characteristic of ritual folklore, both calendar and family. The expediency of considering memes and «photo frogs in the coordinate system of folkloristics is substantiated. The features, that are characteristic of memes as the latest folklore creations, are indicated, and their main functions are also mentioned. It is confirmed that constant behavioral markers and character traits inherent to Roma remain basic for the formation of the image of the gypsy: villainy, cunning, tendency, etc. It is shown that the nomadic way of life formed a special attitude of the gypsies to the means of transportation (previously horses, now – "iron horses"), which is reflected in the folklore texts. It is noted that in modern folklore forms a certain transformation in the treatment of nonethnic characters can be traced, which is a consequence of the reinterpretation of axiological guidelines, as well as those real events which take place in the society. So, we can talk about the slow change of the stereotypical ideas that were formed by the mythological tradition.