Batkivschyna completes its journey through Mohawk Valley of New York (07/22/01)

Batkivschyna completes its journey through Mohawk Valley of New York

by Alexander Kuzma

UTICA, N.Y. - The near-legendary Ukrainian tall ship Batkivschyna navigated through the narrow channels of the historic Erie Canal, becoming the first international vessel to complete a journey through the picturesque Mohawk Valley of upstate New York. Enthusiastic throngs greeted the ship in several ports along the canal.

The largest welcoming party turned out at the newly constructed Utica Municipal Wharf on Saturday, June 16. The Topolia Women's Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Halyna Kurylo, and a large contingent of supporters from the Binghamton-Johnson City area joined Ukrainian Americans from Utica to show their support for Batkivschyna and for the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF).

"Our dream was always to visit the Mohawk Valley and to travel along the Erie Canal," said Capt. Dmitrii Birioukovitch. "This area was described so vividly in the novels of James Fennimore Cooper and it has retained much of its natural beauty."

Until late May, however, the captain and his advance team were uncertain whether they could travel along the canal. Heavy snowfall over the past winter had deposited large amounts of silt along several channels, creating numerous challenges for a ship that required depths of 9 or more feet. The schooner also had to lower its masts to sail through more than 20 locks and under numerous low bridges.

After extensive fact-finding visits by the ship's support team of John Nesklada, Mike Lamperelli and John Perry, the ship received permission from the New York Canal Authority to enter the waterway.

"We wish we could have given our Ukrainian American communities in upstate New York more notice of the ship's arrival," said Mr. Nesklada, who sailed aboard the Batkivschyna from Albany to Oswego. "We were pleasantly surprised by the large crowds that gathered along the shore, even in a small town like St. Johnsville."

In Utica, the ship's arrival received extensive coverage on local radio stations prior to its arrival, thanks to the advance work of the Rev. Michael Bundz, pastor of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Catholic Church, and Taras Zenczak, chairman of the local organizing committee.

As the Batkivschyna pulled into Utica Harbor, several hundred onlookers anxiously awaited its arrival. Many were dressed in embroidered blouses and carried Ukrainian and American flags. The Topolia women's ensemble entertained the crowd with a series of traditional and popular Ukrainian songs. Accompanist Burt Mueller also performed original arrangements of Ukrainian melodies on solo guitar. A trio of dancers comprised of Oksana Czebiniak, Justina Veleha and Christine Zavalyj drew warm applause from the audience.

As master of ceremonies, Mr. Zenczak read a letter of greeting from Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (23rd District, New York) who was traveling with President George W. Bush in Europe. Mr. Boehlert wrote: "I regret that I cannot be with you in person to extend my sincere welcome to Batkivschyna and her crew on being the first foreign vessel to navigate the New York State canal system and to visit the Mohawk Valley. Your mission as goodwill ambassador for the deserving charity Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund ... is most commendable and worthy of recognition by all present." Mayor Timothy Julian issued a proclamation declaring June 16 "Batkivschyna Day" in Utica.

As storm clouds gathered, the ship was forced to sail four miles farther upstream to Lock 20 in Marcy because the shallows in Utica Harbor prevented it from docking safely. The crowd of supporters followed the ship to Marcy, where 6-year-old Kalyna Melnyk presented Capt. Birioukovih with a bouquet of flowers. The revelry continued despite intermittent rainfall.

On Sunday morning, June 17, the St. Volodymyr parish in downtown Utica hosted a Father's Day luncheon in honor of the Batkivschyna (which means "Land of our Fathers" in Ukrainian). The Rev. Bundz thanked the members of the organizing committee: Mr. Zenczak, Dr. Roman Melnyk, Kristine Lyktey, Prof. Bohdan Rabij, Vasyl Rybalsky and other members of the parish for their support of the ship's mission. Capt. Birioukovitch also thanked everyone present for their support and shared some of his most notable experiences during the ship's historic voyage from Ukraine. Many parishioners made generous contributions to help defray the costs of the journey and to support CCRF's medical mission.

In the afternoon, large crowds returned to Marcy, where they toured the ship, purchased specially designed Batkivschyna T-shirts and invited the captain and his crew to their family picnics. Among the visitors was Oneida County Executive Ralph Eannace, Jr. and a television crew from the local CBS affiliate WUTR-Channel 20.

Historic re-enactor Petro Vashchyk, a member of the Batkivschyna expedition dressed in full Zaporozhian garb, regaled the crowds with kozak ballads and folk songs, accompanied on the accordion and various Ukrainian folk flutes (sopilky). The festive atmosphere continued, and many visitors did not disperse until nightfall.

The next morning, the ship continued its voyage on the Erie Canal and arrived in Oswego, N.Y., on June 19.

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