The monograph analyzes the source and historiographical base of the research. Against the background of the analysis of all-Ukrainian elite processes, the formation and development of regional elites of Sumy region in the period from the end of 1991 to 2021 were studied. The transformation of regional political elite identities and its political values was revealed. The policy of regional identity is conditioned by the culture of regional elites, their ideas about the past and future of the region, the country. Regional political elites often contribute to the growth of polar and conflicting identities. In the process of studying political behavior, it was proved that the chosen line of behavior of the regional political elite of Sumy region was not always consistent, as it was subject to the influence of many environmental factors and individual characteristics of the elite.

The article examines the etymology of the word „unity”, the genesis of the idea of unity in Ukrainian political thought and scientific discourse, proposes the theoretical and methodological foundations of the research, and analyzes the evolution of the idea of unity in the discourses of political parties and presidents of Ukraine. It is about the evolution of the idea of unity throughout the entire process of Ukrainian state formation. Historical realities were of great importance for the formation and affirmation of the idea of unity, namely, the fragmentation of lands, foreign rule, the loss of the religious oneness of the people, and national oppressions. The evolution of the idea of the unity from the princely era to the present, from the idea of a united Rus to the idea of a free Independent United Ukraine, is traced, based on the research of domestic and foreign authors. Attention is focused on the symbolism of unity, markers of unity, traditions of holding „living chains” of unity as the main symbol of the Day of Unity, which Ukrainians build, symbolizing the unification of Ukrainian lands and state unity and the nationwide celebration of Unity Day. The Day of the Unity of Ukraine is characterized by the actualization of three dimensions of political meaning – past, present and future. The idea of unity was determined, first of all, by the unity of values, ideals and interests of the citizens of Ukraine. In the political discourse, emphasis was placed on the fact that the unity is a symbol of the unification of the country, as well as a reference point for the future as a territorial and spiritual unity of the people. In the addresses and speeches of the Presidents of Ukraine, the evolution from the idea of unity to the idea of oneness was traced. Presidents of Ukraine appealed to the lessons of the past and historical figures of Ukraine; they emphasized that the unity is an indivisible whole of all Ukrainian lands; noted that unity is not only about the territory, but also about oneness, cohesion, community. Preserving the territorial integrity of Ukraine, strengthening the unity of its regions, the diversity and distinction of which have developed as a result of objective historical circumstances, will continue to be a relevant, but also an urgent task of today.

Globalization has become an undeniable fact of our reality in recent decades. Focus is placed on the fact that globalization is a process that removes national borders, integrates national economies, cultures, technologies and management and creates complex relationships and interconnections mediated through diverse flows involving people, capitals, ideas, etc. Globalization creates risk of national identity loss, at the same time traditional forms of identity are violated, it is evident that mechanism of continuity of identity is missing.The full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine created a new reality, strengthening the sense of political unity and state uniqueness. The real motives of Russian aggression are the destruction of the Ukrainian people, their identity and the deprivation of their right to independent development. Ukrainians have proven to themselves and others that they exist as a nation having civil and national identity and are capable to defend their independence, territorial integrity, and unity.Over the years Russia has used identity and history as a weapon against Ukraine, implementing policy aimed at creating a distorted image of the Ukrainian people's identity and their desire for independence, which is realized through the spread all over the world ideologemes based on false and manipulative identification of Ukrainian patriotism with «Nazism» or other misanthropic ideologies.Russia's war against Ukraine is a war for the identity. Russian aggression is genocide against the Ukrainian people, the destruction of their identity and culture.

Важливою формою соціальної ідентичності виступає етнічність, або ототожнення себе з певною культурною традицією чи спільністю. У цьому контексті значний інтерес для дослідників становить національна ідентичність, яка передбачає усвідомлення особливостей своєї нації і демонстрацію належності до неї. Проаналізовані монографії та наукові статті, які розкривають сутність української ідентичності, а також історію становлення української ідентичності за часів незалежності України. Зазначено, що «українська ідентичність не тотожна ані національній, ані етнічній» і «українську ідентичність іще треба «перебудувати». Зміни у формуванні ідентичності пов'язують з процесом глобалізації. Однак проблема національної ідентичності в контексті глобалізації не одержала належного осмислення. Визначено, що відсутність сформованої спільної ідентичності, яка б поєднувала більшість громадян, не лише суттєво уповільнює поступальний розвиток українського суспільства, а й створює або критично посилює низку загроз національній безпеці країни. Дослідники відзначають, що «українська ідентичність і національна безпека-це базові цінності українського буття», які взаємопов'язані і взаємозалежні та виступають фундаментальними основами існування українського соціуму і держави, на яких вибудовується майбутнє України. Ключові слова: концепт; ідентичність; українська ідентичність; національна безпека; соціокультурні трансформації; гуманітарна сфера; загрози; зарубіжні та вітчизняні науковці.

The article analyzes the role of regional political elites of Sumy region in the actualization of historical memory. It was noted that the politics of memory is a symbolic resource of regional political elites. It was shown that regional political elites, on the one hand, «can create a favorable ground for the growth of multiple identities», and on the other – «are able to stimulate the growth of polar and conflicting identities». Emphasis was placed on the fact that the historical past becomes the ideological present. It was shown that the basic factor for the regional political elite of Sumy region in the processes of actualization of historical memory was the symbolic representation of the past, first of all, the history of the region. It was determined that memory is designed not only to reflect the past, but also to form its meaning for the present. In today's world, there is a great public demand for the formation, restoration, preservation, transmission, reading and affirmation of historical memory. And in this context, the urgent need for the central government and the regional political elite was the need to actively shape a nationwide policy of historical memory.