Formation of national identity: cultural narratives of Ukrainian history

The article is dedicated to exploring the impact of narratives on national identity. It examines key approaches to understanding national identity, the factors shaping its formation, and the processes of its transformation amid globalization and contemporary hybrid challenges. Particular attention is given to the Ukrainian context, specifically the role of national identity in the conditions of armed conflict and informational influence. The study employs a range of philosophical methods, including historical-philosophical analysis, hermeneutics, dialectics, phenomenology, and critical analysis within a constructivist paradigm, enabling the tracing of the evolution of the identity concept. It is established that in Ukraine, given its postcolonial past and ongoing war, Ukrainocentric narratives of unity, resilience, and pro-Western orientation prevail over destructive Russian narratives, fostering societal consolidation, integration of internally displaced persons, and mobilization of the diaspora. However, challenges such as bilingualism, media fragmentation, and intergenerational gaps complicate the formation of a cohesive «we-identity». The study concludes that the conscious construction and sup-port of national identity as a component of national security and cultural distinctiveness are necessary, through the development of harmonized narratives, promotion of Ukraini-an-language content, media literacy, and inclusive practices.