Do the authorities and residents of Zaporizhia really need the protected island of Khortytsia, the Zaporozhian Sich, Dniprohes (Dnipro Hydropower Plant), the Museum of Cossackdom, the Zaporozhian Oak, and other historical monuments? The Zaporizhia Oblast Council’s Web site contains reports on all kinds of campaigns and programs aimed at developing, restoring, and preserving cultural treasures and the funds that have been spent on these causes. I conducted a poll among representatives of the government and the public, well-known and respected people in the oblast, to see how effectively the state can manage its cultural heritage.
Natalia SIZYNTSEVA, chief of Culture and Tourism Department, Zaporizhia:
“We need an estimated 11 million hryvnias to produce a decorative design, purchase some exhibits, and finish the construction of the Zaporozhian Sich complex that was begun on Oct. 14, 2004. Every facility has a designated purpose and this requires big expenditures. A tourism development program was drafted this year, and the oblast’s single tourist map is in fact the number- one item. A commission headed by the historian Anatolii Boiko is already working on this.
“The ‘passport’ of the territory will make it possible to have a true scholarly description of every tourism-friendly facility. By year’s end we will have a databank of historical and cultural monuments, an inventory of our museum collections, archeological excavations, and other things that are of interest to tourists and other visitors.
“We are beginning to develop tourism in our oblast practically from scratch. We have to set up excursion routes complete with hotels, holiday camps, etc. But the state is strapped for cash. The only way out is to cooperate with entrepreneurs, who are eligible for loans under this program.”
Hennadii REKALOV, head of the sociopolitical union Zaporizhia-Native Land and member of the oblast council:
“First of all, the state must pursue a sound policy. The example of Khortytsia Island, our ‘wonder of Ukraine’ (one of the “Seven Wonders of Ukraine” identified during an interactive survey — Ed.), illustrates a number of negative trends. Some dilettantes, who have nothing to do with history, are creating entertainment facilities, restaurants, and cafes out of monuments of architecture and culture. Yes, we should develop and popularize tourism among visitors and the residents of our oblasts (numerous polls conducted by Zaporizhia-Native Land show that a lot of local residents are indifferent to the city’s history and are focusing their attention on salaries, family, and domestic comfort). But it is a proven fact that two years ago the municipal authorities transferred the Khortytsia land from ‘the Zaporozhian community to the state treasury.’ This immediately stopped the funding of the preserve. The funds that were allocated in 2004 to build the Zaporozhian Sich complex only partially reached the recipient. It is unclear to the residents of the oblast, who visit our organization, whether Khortytsia is a wonder of Ukraine, which has a glorious history and belongs to them, or an unfinished tourist facility of dubious, pseudo-historical value.”
Oleh BURBOVSKY, Meritorious Photographer of Ukraine, chairman of the Ukrainian Photographers Trade Union and honorary citizen of Zaporizhia:
“Those who shout ‘I’m a patriot!’ and wear the national costume are not models of selfless service to the country. The attitude to cultural heritage was better in Soviet times, when it was not a business and the profession of archeologist or geologist was respected and esteemed. Khortytsia recently saw the opening of a wonderful Equestrian Theater and School of Cossacks, but these are just a few things with which the local authorities are showing their care and respect for history. This ‘care’ has a forced nature: it serves to pull the wool over the eyes of true patriots and those who are not indifferent to the city’s future; it is a PR instrument for some political blocs to lure the electorate.
“The state should pursue a nationwide, not regional, policy. Here is a good example: it wasn’t until President Yushchenko’s visit to Zaporizhia that the oblast council repealed its decision to build a Metro hypermarket on the riverside drive. The regions are pursuing their own policies, taking advantage of their oppositional stand. The restoration of historical monuments should be a matter of real, not perfunctory, concern: ‘I promised to renovate the museum and build a church or something else, and I have to do this.’ To achieve this, we should be attracting investors and cashing in not only on industrial production: we should not forget that tourism, sports, art, and history can also generate considerable revenue if they are utilized in good faith. Unfortunately, politicians want instant profits without making the slightest effort.”
Susanna BALADZHIAN, Meritorious Coach of Ukraine (tennis) Master of Sports of the USSR:
“My family moved from Abkhazia to Zaporizhia in 1962, when I was three. So Sukhumi and Zaporizhia are my de jure and de facto homelands, respectively. I think the heart of the matter is the culture of the city residents. It pains me to see newly-built children’s playgrounds, monuments, parks, and restored architectural treasures become neglected and littered in a short period of time. As for Khortytsia, many respectable people are afraid to go there by car in small groups: there are too many robberies, accidents, and even murders on the territory of this preserve.
“Meanwhile, the current administration has come up with a new excursion route: Europe’s longest street (Lenin Avenue) — Dniprohes (bridge) — Khortytsia — Velykyi Luh. The most attractive sights are shown to the press, the ‘indispensable’ people, and foreign business partners. But there are also unpopular places, such as the ‘Red River.’ Chemical industrial waste flows into the Dnipro and reaches the municipal beaches. Fishermen are still catching poisoned fish in the ‘Red River,’ which has been flowing for decades, and then they sell it on the market.
“In other words, we should begin with ourselves — will we be able to preserve what history has handed down to us, or will our grandchildren be learning about their native land only from textbooks? Only once Ukrainians begin to respect and believe in their country (they should begin with history) will politicians have to take reciprocal steps, i.e., deal with the ‘green sector’ and restoration of cultural monuments. In the meantime, we see supermarkets, entertainment centers, restaurants, and housing estates almost at every step. Let them be there, because the demographic situation should be improving and the city should be up to date. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to breathe.”
Borys TANTSIURA, sales manager, Dniproenerho Company:
“When industrial output is declining and the economy as a whole is being ruined, the problem of protecting historical treasures only riles the authorities. And in the last while, politicians have been busy fighting one another. The environmental and cultural situation is the last thing the authorities are worried about. The Zaporizhia region is attractive for investors, so all resources are being channeled into the industrial sector. But some considerable funds have also been earmarked for the development of the region’s culture and environment — the fact that the residents of Zaporizhia do not see or feel them is another question. This is a problem throughout Ukraine, not just our region.
“I think the authorities have opted for the most lucrative scenario: developing the infrastructure — modernization and urbanization — in order to look like Europe. But Europe is focusing a lot of attention on its history and deriving big revenues from tourism.
“Unfortunately, not all officials have read Max Weber’s Politics as a Vocation and Profession. Weber’s central idea is that a true politician is one who already has enough capital and assumes office to really work to improve living standards and the future of his children.
“Even if there are such politicians in Ukraine, so far they have been unable to resist the dictatorship of criminals and clans.”
