Dimitri lived most of his adult life close by, nee on, the Dnipro River, Europe's third largest, and an outlet to the sea and beyond to vast oceans. But, for Dimitri and others who grew up, but for military service, his river, his country, and his dreams were landlocked. His country, not a nation then, was a Soviet republic.
Dimitri was a successful Soviet citizen, educated as an engineer. He was something of a scholar and wrote much, engineering material mostly, but some about boats and boat building techniques. And he built boats, and he sailed them. This was but an avocation, a part of his life that fed his dreams.
He sailed on his Dnipro and its "seas." But the seas of the Dnipro were mere reservoirs, the result of the need for dams and hydroelectric power. And these seas too were landlocked for the Soviet citizen.
But Dimitri and Nina were more than Soviet citizens. They were Ukrainians.
Independence came for a country. A new nation was born. This new nation, born of an old country and its peoples, had been the dream of many for centuries.
The latent dreams of the boy and the young engineer melded into the thoughts of a still dreaming Dimitri, then in his mid-50s.
Dimitri and Nina would sail the world. They would proclaim the virtues of the new nation Ukraine. The world would learn to know that, "the Ukraine," that part of Russia that the world knew, was really Ukraine, the nation, the inheritor of ancient Kyivan Rus, the birthplace of the Cossack Helmanate and that, most importantly: Ukraine was not Russia.
There is more to this story. It will be told more in the pages of the UO as Dimitri and his 90' schooner Bat'kivshchyna prepare to continue their journey around the world on his "Discover Ukraine Expedition."
Approximately three-quarters of the world has been covered. From Kyiv to New York, to Canada's shores, to Chicago, to Havana and the Lesser Antilles, through the Panama Canal, to Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, to the Hawaiian Islands, the islands of the South Pacific, to New Zealand and to Sydney, Australia. These but only a few of the many places the story of the new nation Ukraine has been told. Thousands upon thousands of nautical miles have been covered and many, many successful landfalls have been made.
Four years of sailing for Dimitri and Nina. From leaving Kyiv on April 7, 2000 to flying home from Sydney in mid-April 2004. Underfunded, underequipped and undermanned for four years. The Bat'kivshchyna is now worn, sails torn from cyclones met and conquered while crossing the 1,500 or so miles between Auckland and Sydney. It now requires a haul out and major repairs, and is moored off Sydney Harbor, where she waits for the return of her captain.
Why?
In the year or so leading up to his voyage to New York Harbor in 2000, Dimitri and the Bat'kivshchyna made trips to Israel and Spain. In those places he began telling the story of his Ukraine. This was the beginning of his "Discover Ukraine Expedition." On these trips he developed his first materials to show people. Exhibits designed in panels to demonstrate facts about his country, its location and its history.
Dimitri sought funding. He solicited government support. He beat on doors asking for support. He wrote letters. He enthralled many it seemed, but he got no support. None. Dimitri is an engineer, a sailor, a dreamer. But, apparently, not surprisingly, he is no sales person. And he lives in a country full of very good but poor people. Many wished him well. But little help. So he, Nina, a few volunteers and the Bat'kivshchyna left Kyiv. Down the Dnipro, to the Black Sea and beyond.
And they made it to New York on July 4, 2000, America's Independence Day. There, among many ships, and among many other Tall Ships from many nations (most with at least some funding from their country's governments) they celebrated.
And New York celebrated. The front pages of the New York Times told the story of the small schooner from Ukraine. And repeated the Captain's message: Ukraine is not Russia. That was four years ago. Much acclaim has followed throughout the world the Bat'kivshchyna and the Captain have so far traveled. But Ukraine knows them not. Ukraine pays no attention. The message Ukraine is not Russia is heard in many places, but the Captain is not heard at home.
Today in Ukraine we celebrate our heroes. There are many who represent Ukraine well.
Ruslana today, we rejoice. She, the wonderful performer represents Ukraine so very well. She has captured our hearts and brought Eurovision and Europe to Ukraine.
The Klitschko brothers bring fame to themselves and honor and hope for and to Ukrainians.
There are others. Sports figures, musicians, writers, some few business people and they are heard, all, reported on and admired.
Why is the Captain not heard? Why is there no support?
Why?
Editor's Note:
In mid-May, a crew from the 1+1 television channel visited Captain Dmytro Biriukovych and his wife Nina in their home. A segment several minutes long was shown on 1+1's newscast, which included film clips of the Bat'kivshchyna and its voyage.
The Captain is available to speak and tell the story of the Bat'kivshchyna for all who wish to hear. To assist the Captain, to hear him speak or for other information on the Bat'kivshchyna and the non-profit "Discover Ukraine Expedition," contact Glen Willard at mobile 8 050 311 3804 or e-mail glen@twg.com.ua.
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