Decolonizing Ukrainian Music in Library Catalogs and Music Resources

Abstract

Decolonization of Ukrainian music in library catalogs, reference resources, and scholarship involves addressing the deep-rooted effects of historical suppression, misrepresentation, and cultural erasure, while striving to provide a more accurate and inclusive portrayal of Ukraine's musical heritage. Catalog metadata plays a crucial role in this effort, as it not only reflects but actively shapes the way musicians and musical traditions are represented in research tools like Grove, RILM, and MGG. The way we catalog and classify significantly influences the visibility and accuracy of cultural narratives, while also depending on the scholarly resources available. This interconnected relationship is especially clear in the case of Ukrainian music, which has long been marginalized, misrepresented, and even erased under Russian colonization.