The Functions of Locations in Ukrainian RPF in the Context of the Russo-Ukrainian War

The Russian re-invasion of 2022 has had a ripple effect on every aspect of Ukrainian society and culture. Fanfiction was no different, producing many highly politicized works, particularly in the RPF (Real Person Fiction) category. In this article, the author examines the locations in Ukrainian fanfics of modern political Ukrainian RPF and historical Ukrainian RPF about the Ukrainian Revolution (1917–1921) to determine their functions and correlation to Ukrainian identity. As a result, three primary functions were identified: canon building, relying on references to places directly connected to the subject’s public life, as well as constructing hypothetical places in the private “gaps”; relatability, referencing specific details of daily life (particularly during the war) to establish a deeper connection with the reader; and finally, symbolic geography, referring to the especially significant places of war. The last function was the most influenced by the fanfiction author’s identity.