Dal contadino al cittadino. Origini e percorsi dell’antropologia urbana in Ucraina

The first part of the essay seeks to examine some research conducted during the nineteenth century, whose primary topics of study focused on the peasants and their homes. Such investigations can therefore be considered as the forerunners of Ukrainian urban anthropology. The attention to rural housing was also confirmed by numerous photos taken in the villages during the expeditions. In the Soviet era, while millions of peasants were moving to the cities, the scholars’ focus of attention was gradually shifting towards new concerns, namely urbanization and the new living contexts. At present, Ukrainian scholars, not only investigate the past to gain a full perspective over the impact of the Soviet urbanization on the Ukrainian society, but also tackle new themes including ecology, urban health, new urban languages and the migratory flows. The concept of the anthropology of cities is increasingly used in the scientific fields of Ukraine, being the metropolis a complex living organism in constant change.