CULTURAL AND MYTHOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF E. PRIGOZHIN'S MARCH BY UKRAINIAN MEDIA

Abstract

Purpose of the research – to reveal the cultural and mythological images available in the Ukrainian information field regarding the march of the head of the Wagner PMC.
Research methodology. The research methodology is based on general scientific and specialised methods or approaches. The general scientific methods include the following: psychoanalytic, discourse analysis, analytical psychology, critical analysis. Specialised methods include mythopoetics and the mytho-restoration approach. This scientific and methodological toolkit contributed to the understanding of the discourse of the Ukrainian mass media regarding the march of E. Prigozhin and allowed to metaphorically interpret this event through the prism of the Oedipus myth.
Results. The article demonstrates the multiplicity and multifaceted nature of the concept of “myth”. It is established that the modern political myth represents universal images inherent in the primary cosmological myths. It is determined
that the political myth is a synthetic construct that encompasses ideology and elements of sacred myths at the same time. It is revealed that the Ukrainian mass media, referring to the reaction and discourse of Ukrainian politicians, have formed the following idea about E. Prigozhin's march: its consequence will be a change in the status of russia and the political regime; russia's self-destruction is caused by Ukraine's activities. It is found that E. Prigozhin's march reflects the following mythological aspects: Oedipus‘ exile as far as possible from Thebes; Oedipus’ destruction of his father's state; the presence of a medium or oracle who warns against the consequences of Oedipus' activities; the desire for patricide. It is identified that the common features of E. Prigozhin's march and the centaur are aggression, cruelty, animalism, and propaganda of deception. It is determined that the common characteristics of wagnerians and their leader with a werewolf are their variability and impermanence. Novelty. The novelty of the study lies in the establishment of a symbolic and associative connection between the march of E. Prygozhyn and the myth of Oedipus. For the first time, the symbolic and cultural image of E. Prigozhin was revealed in the context of the following mythological creatures: centaur, dwarf, werewolf.