Життєвий шлях та досягнення фундатора сучасного українознавства Петра Кононенка

The relevance of the research. Analyzing the significant contribution of P. Kononenko to the formation of the practical and theoretical foundations of modern Ukrainian studies, we try to understand how Ukrainian studies as an integrative science (a complex system of scientific knowledge) about Ukraine, Ukrainians, and world Ukrainianism in space and time has the ability to counteract Russia's aggressive policy against Ukraine, in particular the "Russian world", to actualize the national-patriotic education of Ukrainian citizens, to promote the progressive development of modern Ukrainian society, the creation of a Ukrainian political nation, and the development of the Ukrainian Independent United State. The purpose of the study is to understand the formation of P. Kononenko personality, his creation of a modern interdisciplinary science, an academic discipline, and the establishment of a research institution – the Institute of Ukrainian Studies. Conclusions. Thus, the state of the researched issues and the source base of the study are characterized; the main stages of the life and scientific and educational activities of P. Kononenko are analyzed; the development of Ukrainian studies in the 20th century is concisely outlined; the vicissitudes of the formation of modern Ukrainian studies, the formation and functioning of the Ukrainian studies institution and the important role of P. Kononenko in these processes are revealed; the significant potential of integrative Ukrainian studies in countering the “Russian world” and strengthening the national-patriotic education of Ukrainian citizens is shown. It is revealed that the life path, outstanding achievements of P. Kononenko in the educational, scientific, artistic, organizational and educational spheres are an important part of the national-patriotic education of citizens of the Ukrainian state, therefore, during the full-scale Russian aggression, the issue of understanding the personality of the founder of modern Ukrainian studies and the founder of the RIUS requires further comprehensive study.