Родина Симиренків | Українські меценати | Від кріпаків до мільйонерів

Summary

The video narrates the inspiring story of the Simirenko family, particularly focusing on Fedor Simirenko and his son Platon, who rose from serfdom to immense success in the sugar industry. Fedor, born into poverty, purchased his freedom and later founded a thriving business with his family. Platon revolutionized the sugar industry in the Russian Empire by introducing steam-powered machinery and building modern factories. The family also made significant cultural contributions, supporting Ukrainian arts and sciences. Despite facing hardships, including arrests and political repression, their legacy continues, particularly through the creation of the 'Simirenko' apple variety.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story highlights how hard work and persistence led to great wealth for a well-known Ukrainian family.
• 😀 Fedir Symyrenko, born in 1793, was the son of a poor Cossack who was forced into serfdom after rejecting a loyalty oath to Catherine II.
• 😀 Fedir's ingenuity and hard work allowed him to buy his freedom and later build a successful grain business with his wife and brothers-in-law in the early 19th century.
• 😀 By the 1830s, Symyrenko's trading house became successful, even exporting flour abroad, and it was known for its charitable work, such as feeding thousands of poor Ukrainians during a famine.
• 😀 Fedir Symyrenko's family faced personal hardships, with only eight of their 22 children surviving, but they provided excellent education and values to those who lived.
• 😀 In the 1840s, the Symyrenko family shifted to the sugar industry, which proved to be a profitable decision, particularly after the involvement of their son, Platon Symyrenko.
• 😀 Platon Symyrenko studied sugar production in Germany and France, and upon returning, established a state-of-the-art sugar factory in Ukraine, introducing new technologies and hiring skilled engineers from abroad.
• 😀 The family’s success was not limited to business; they became well-known patrons of Ukrainian culture, supporting authors, publishers, and institutions.
• 😀 Platon Symyrenko funded the printing of Taras Shevchenko's 'Kobzar' in 1860, although he requested that his name not be mentioned, showing his quiet but significant contributions to Ukrainian culture.
• 😀 The Symyrenko family continued to influence Ukraine long after their deaths, with Platon’s son, Levko Symyrenko, becoming a famous scientist and horticulturist, creating the 'Symyrenko' apple variety.
• 😀 Despite the family's tragic losses, including political repression and the execution of Levko's son, the Symyrenko legacy endures as a symbol of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and cultural contribution to Ukraine.

Q & A

Who was Fedor Symyrenko and how did he overcome his initial hardships?

Fedor Symyrenko was born to a poor Cossack family and was initially a serf. His father, Stepan Symyrenko, was punished for refusing to swear allegiance to Catherine II, leading to the family’s loss of rights. Despite this, Fedor was able to buy his freedom thanks to his intelligence and hard work, eventually becoming a successful businessman.

What role did Fedor Symyrenko play in the development of Ukrainian industry?

Fedor Symyrenko, together with his wife and her brothers, established a successful grain business and expanded into flour and sugar production. This helped the family become wealthy and influential in Ukrainian business, marking a major contribution to the agricultural and industrial sectors of the region.

How did the Symyrenko family contribute to the welfare of the Ukrainian people?

The Symyrenko family was known for their philanthropy, providing free food for 10,000 starving peasants in 1830 during a famine. They also built schools, hospitals, and provided a range of services for the workers at their factories, improving the quality of life in their local community.

What were some of the innovations introduced by Platon Symyrenko in the sugar industry?

Platon Symyrenko played a key role in modernizing the family’s sugar business. He studied sugar production in Europe, brought back knowledge to build a steam-powered sugar mill, and recruited skilled engineers. His innovations helped improve the efficiency and quality of sugar production in the region.

What was the significance of the ‘Symyrenko’ apple, and who was responsible for its creation?

The 'Symyrenko' apple variety was created by Platon Symyrenko’s son, Levko. This apple was named after the family, marking Levko's contributions to Ukrainian agriculture as a horticulturist. He developed the variety through selective breeding and it became well-known in the region.

How did the Symyrenko family support Ukrainian culture and literature?

The Symyrenko family was a major patron of Ukrainian culture. Platon Symyrenko financially supported the printing of Taras Shevchenko's *Kobzar* and contributed to various cultural projects. The family also funded newspapers like *Ukraine* and *Rada*, playing a key role in the development of Ukrainian literature and national consciousness.

What role did the Symyrenko family play in the development of Ukrainian education and health services?

The Symyrenko family established schools with qualified teachers and built a hospital with 150 beds for the workers in their factories. These investments in education and healthcare were part of their broader commitment to improving the lives of their employees and the community.

How did political oppression affect the Symyrenko family’s legacy?

Despite their significant contributions, the Symyrenko family faced persecution under both the Russian Empire and Soviet rule. Platon’s son, Levko, was arrested multiple times for suspected anti-imperial activity, and Levko’s son, Vladimir, was executed by the Soviet regime in 1938, marking the tragic end of the family's active influence during the Soviet period.

What were some of the technological advancements introduced by the Symyrenko family?

The Symyrenko family was ahead of its time in terms of technology. Platon Symyrenko introduced steam-powered machinery to the sugar industry, while his son Levko helped create early metal ships for transporting sugar and other products on the Dnieper River, advancing the transportation sector in Ukraine.

Why is the legacy of the Symyrenko family still relevant today?

The legacy of the Symyrenko family remains relevant because of their enduring impact on Ukrainian industry, agriculture, culture, and society. Their innovations in sugar production, contributions to Ukrainian literature, and philanthropy have left a lasting mark on the country’s development, especially in the areas of culture and economy.