Little Russia

Little Russia or Little Rus' (Russian Малороссия, Малая Русь; Ukrainian Мала Русь ) is a historical name for the northern part of present-day Ukraine. He goes back to the medieval Byzantine terminology back ( Μικρὰ Ῥωσία ) that differed small and large Rus Rus. Under the latter term Areas of the Principality of Vladimir - Suzdal and Novgorod Republic were understood. This division had no pejorative coloring at the beginning, but was perceived by the Ukrainians themselves from the 19th century as a pejorative.

The term is still current by the second symphony by Tchaikovsky, which is nicknamed " Little Russian Symphony" today.