Mezhyhirya Residence
Mezhyhiria
Межигір'я | |
---|---|
Museum | |
Etymology: Saint Transfiguration Monastery | |
Nickname: Yanukdisneyland | |
Coordinates: 50°36′53″N 30°28′27″E / 50.61472°N 30.47417°E | |
Country | Ukraine |
Region | Kyiv Oblast |
District | Vyshhorod Raion |
Municipality | Novi Petrivtsi |
Founded | 1935 |
The Mezhyhirya Residence (
The estate was founded as a monastery that functioned off-and-on until closed in 1923 by the Bolsheviks following the establishment of the Soviet Union. From 1935 Mezhyhirya was a state government residence, first under the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and then under an independent Ukraine, until 2007 when it was privatized in the final weeks of Yanukovych’s leadership as Prime Minister. This privatization has been alleged as having been illegal, with no money being reported as being paid to the state for its sale.[5] In 2012, the State Administration of Affairs rented a space from Tantalit for ₴99,691 per year, arranging it for official receptions.[6][7][8] In 2014, it returned to state ownership.
In 2010, Yanukovych claimed the lease of 1 ha (2.5 acres) in Mezhyhirya cost ₴314 per month (2010)[9] which was about $39.57 according to the exchange rate at the time.[10]
Another luxurious residence was under construction near Cape Aya in Crimea at the time Yanukovych was ousted from office.[11] The residence was popularly known as “Mezhyhirya 2”.[12]
History
Until April 10, 1786, the space now occupied by the modern residence was inhabited by the
Mezhyhirya is also the former summer house of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's leaders since 1935.[15][failed verification] During the occupation by Nazi Germany, it was a residence of the Reich Commissar Erich Koch in a palace of the Kiev Military District commander Iona Yakir.[16] Before its privatization by the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych (at that time Prime Minister of Ukraine), the residence belonged to the State recreation complex Pushcha Vodytsia.
Estate under Viktor Yanukovych (2002–2013)
Stepping into the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2002, Viktor Yanukovych received free of charge building #20 with an area 325 m2 (3,500 sq ft) in the residence from the Fund of State Property. On April 1, 2003 Viktor Yanukovych rented building #20 and 3 ha (7.4 acres) of land through the mediation of Donetsk Charity Fund "Revival of Ukraine". By the agreement, the rental price was ₴3.14 per month for a period of 49 years for the purpose "implementation of measures for the promotion of national and international programs aimed at improving the socio-economic status".[3]
Stepping out of the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2005, Yanukovych received another building, #20-a.
In 2008 the Mezhyhirya residence was amid an ownership controversy between the former Ukrainian
On July 9, 2007,
On July 11, 2007, Yanukovych issued a government order #521, according to which the National Joint-Stock Company "Nadra Ukrainy" received the state residency and a territory of 137 ha in Mezhyhirya. Soon "Nadra Ukrainy" concluded a barter with another company "Medinvesttreid" (Medinvesttrade) after which the above-mentioned government assigned residence was exchanged for two properties at Parkova alleya (Park alley) in Kyiv. "Medinvesttreid", in its turn, sold the newly acquired property of "Nadra Ukrainy" to some other company "Tantalit". Since May 2008 the Ministry of the Interior was conducting a search for the director of "Medinvesttreid", Hennadiy Herasymenko, who in their opinion was involved in a scheme to get the former state residence out of state property. On February 12, 2008 Yushchenko signed a decree for relieving a state property security personnel from duties at the State cottages area in Mezhyhirya.[20] His decree canceled the previous presidential decree of January 12, 2006 where the security personnel was assigned to properties at Zalissya, instead of Zalissya and Mezhyhirya.
Subsequently, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych privatized the complex, already residing there while prime minister. At the time, the property's price was estimated at around ₴1 billion (US$200 million).[21] After Yulia Tymoshenko's election, her cabinet annulled the decree which transferred the property to the "Nadra Ukraine" firm,[22] and again placed the territory under government control.[23] However, on July 28, 2008, the Economic Court of Kyiv City annulled the Cabinet's decision and returned the Mezhyhirya residence back under Yanukovych's ownership.[24]
In 2009 Yanukovych claimed to have full ownership.[2] He has not revealed the price he paid for the property, instead calling it a "very serious price".[25]
During Yanukovych’s presidency, the estate became a controversial
Euromaidan protests and aftermath
During Euromaidan in 2013-2014, protesters descended on the complex, especially in December 2013, to protest against Yanukovych’s government.[30][31] Protests at Mezhyhirya were also motivated by the belief held by the protestors that the complex was funded “improperly”, and also by an attack on 25 December 2013 on the journalist Tetiana Chornovol, who had been investigating the financing of the Mezhyhirya residence, and was attacked after unknown men in a jeep crashed into her car.[31] The social movement Automaidan would organise many of the protests at Mezhyhirya, which would result in many of the movement’s vehicles being recorded by the police on a list. Many cars from the list would be burned, and owners of others would lose their driver’s licenses.[32]
On 21 February 2014, Yanukovych fled Kyiv, and the police units that had guarded the residence during Euromaidan withdrew, with some guards reported to have escaped[27] and protesters were able to enter it.[4] Before protestors entered, little had previously been known about the president’s home as Yanukovych had been relatively successful in keeping his private life away from the Ukrainian media.[33] Some protestors stated that the capture of Mezhyhirya was “the main symbol of our revolution [Euromaidan], our Bastille”.[34]
Transformation into museum
Following the ousting of Yanukovych from power, thousands of Ukrainians went to visit the luxurious estate and park for free, with some nicknaming the complex "Yanukdisneyland" (a portmanteau of “Yanukovych” and “
On 23 February 2014 the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, adopted a resolution to transfer Mezhyhirya as a recreational complex of Pushcha-Vodytsia to state ownership, within ten days.[39][34] However this did not happen because of conflicts over control of the complex that emerged amongst some protestors and pro-European businessmen, as well as the legal confusion surrounding ownership of the estate.[34] Looters and vandals were kept away from the complex by the former businessman and now groundskeeper of the site Denys Tarachkotelyk and his supporters, a group of protestors from the Maidan.[34] Tarachkotelyk arrived at Mezhyhirya on the morning after Yanukovych fled and managed to outmaneuver rival factions to gain control of the entire property.[34] The property returned to state ownership via court action on 25 June 2014.[40] Since mid-November 2014 Mezhyhirya has been a museum which the public can visit, though the number of visitors has fallen sharply since February 2014, when hundreds of thousands visited.[1][34]
The controversial nature of the complex has persisted since Yanukovych’s ousting, with some Ukrainians refusing to visit it because it is connected to the former president of Ukraine and provokes negative emotions, though others have used it for their wedding photoshoots.[27]
During the
Mezhyhirya was featured in the political satire
Former owners (2009–2014)
No. | Legal entity | Area (ha) |
---|---|---|
1 | Tantalit | 129.0 |
2 | Revival of Ukraine | 7.6 |
3 | Viktor Yanukovych | 1.8 |
Total | 138.4 |
- Tantalit, LLC (“TOB”) (Ukrainian: "Танталіт", Russian: “Танталит”)
- Charitable Fund "Revival of Ukraine" (Ukrainian: Благодійний фонд "Відродження України", Russian: Благотворительный фонд "Возрождение Украины")
Renters
Before the Revolution of Dignity, the State Administration of Affairs rented an office in the residence.[42]
Security services
- Berkut,[43] State Security Administration (UDO)[44] – security
- State Auto Inspection – road blocks, traffic restrictions
- Ukrainian Ground Forces (An anti-air mobile fire team of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was deployed on a breakwater in the Kyiv Reservoir in December 2012.)[45]
In November 2011 "UkrAeroRukh" made Yanukovych's part of the Mezhyhirya residence a no-fly zone.[46]
Description
External images | |
---|---|
Débarcadère interior | |
Chandeliers | |
Portholes | |
Lavatory |
The Mezhyhirya estate is over 140 ha (350 acres) and is situated on the banks of the Dnieper river (Kyiv Reservoir)[15] in the village of Novi Petrivtsi, Vyshhorod Raion, Kyiv Oblast.[47][26][48] There is a yacht pier, an equestrian club, a shooting range, a tennis court and other recreational facilities[49] as well as hunting grounds.[50] The estate also has an automobile museum displaying some of Yanukovych’s former exotic cars, a golf course, an ostrich farm, a dog kennel, numerous fountains and man-made lakes, a helicopter pad, and a small church. The entire complex is enclosed by a five-meter tall fence along the perimeter.[51]
Club house (Honka)
The main feature of the residence is the so-called "club house", also known as "object Honka" (after the Finnish log home manufacturer Honka).[52] The building is located on territory belonging to the charitable fund "Revival of Ukraine".[8] During 2009 and the first half of 2010, materials worth ₴76 million ($9.5 million) were delivered, for renovation of the house.[8]
In 2010, speaking before the German public in
Barge
According to
As reported by Ukrayinska Pravda, the barge has a personal office and a hall for receptions. The "palace" is decorated with wood of valuable species, gold leaf, marble and crystal.[52] In the niche of the ceiling of the main hall, there are three chandeliers, the price of one of which was estimated by Ukrayinska Pravda at $97,000.[55]
Books
A journalist at Ukrayinska Pravda found various "ancient treasures of Ukrainian literature" in the residence on 25 February 2014, including the alleged first printed book in Ukraine (dating from 1654) by Ivan Fyodorov.[56]
Photo gallery
Honka club house
-
"Honka" club house
-
"Honka", side view
-
Honka's balcony, close up
-
Side stairs (Honka)
-
Park surrounding Honka
-
Gazebo near Honka
-
Park area walkways
-
Main lake with "Honka" in background
Other features
-
"Galleon" barge
-
Guest house
Panoramic photos of Mezhyhirya
A group of photographers made a series of 360° panoramic photos outside and inside the buildings in Mezhyhirya on 11 March 2014, available on the website of the German news magazine Der Spiegel.[57]
See also
References
- ^ a b Ukraine: Former President Viktor Yanukovych's Palatial Residence in Mezhyhirya Opens as Museum, International Business Times (November 17, 2014)
- ^ UNIAN(7 August 2009)
- ^ Ukrayinska Pravda. December 29, 2009
- ^ a b c Ukraine Leader Was Defeated Even Before He Was Ousted, The New York Times (3 January 2015)
- ^ a b c d e "Yanukovych, the luxury residence and the money trail that leads to London". openDemocracy. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- Ukrayinska Pravda. February 26, 2012
- Ukrayinska Pravda. March 2, 2012
- ^ Ukrayinska Pravda. April 7, 2010. Accessed February 15, 2014
- ^ "Yanukovych rents Mezhyhirya residence for 3 hryvnia per are". TSN. June 3, 2010.
- ^ "US Dollar to Ukraine Hryvnia (USD UAH) for 6 June 2010 (06/06/2010)". Exchange Rates UK.
- ^ "В Крыму открыли доступ к мысу Айя, где строили Межигорье-2 - "УДАР"".
- ^ "Yanukovych used network of UK shell companies to hide private empire". www.intellinews.com. 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ Shevchenko, T Slipyi (Blind). Collection of works in six tomes. Vol.1: Poetry 1837–1847. Kyiv, 2003. 297–313; 723–725.
- Kiev: NDITIAM – Holovkyivarkhitektura, 2002. 103–104
- ^ a b c d e f Ukraine elections marked by curses, threats and brutality, The Guardian (26 October 2012)
- ^ Lysenko, V. Legends and treasures of the Mezhyhirya Abbey Archived 2014-02-02 at the Wayback Machine. "Collection of regional studies materials". Kyiv 2010.
- Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 521-р: On the transferral of property to the NAK "Nadra Ukraine". Adopted on 2007-07-11. (Ukrainian)
- ^ "Media: Yushchenko by a secret decree presented to Yanukovych a dacha". KorrespondenT (in Russian). February 28, 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ "Recreational Complex "Pushcha-Vodytsia" of the State Directorate of Affairs". State Directorate of Affairs (Державне управління справами) (in Ukrainian). February 28, 2010. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ "Yushchenko removed state security from Yanukovich's dacha". Korrespondent.net (in Russian). February 12, 2008. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ Янукович приватизировал резиденцию "Межигорье" [Yanukovych privatized the "Mezhigorye" residence]. TEMA (in Russian). December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1230-р: On the nullification of some decrees of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Adopted on 2007-12-24. (Ukrainian)
- ^ "Tymoshenko gave away the government residence of Yanukovych". Korrespondent (in Russian). December 26, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-12-29. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
- ^ "The court returned the Mezhigorye residence to Yanukovich". Korrespondent (in Russian). July 28, 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
- ^ Ukrayinska Pravda exposes president's Mezhygirya deal, Kyiv Post (6 May 2009)
- ^ a b Yanukovych's smooth ride to Mezhyhirya mansion, Kyiv Post (19 August 2010)
- ^ a b c "MEZHYHIRYA RESIDENCE – UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT PLACE". Greentour. 2020-07-26. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- Ukrayinska Pravda. July 29, 2010
- ^ Rachkevych, Mark (2014-02-23). "Mezhyhirya becomes Ukraine's newest public monument to corrupt excess - Feb. 23, 2014". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ Interfax-Ukraine (2013-12-06). "Media: Euromaidan activists depart for Mezhyhirya residence - Dec. 06, 2013". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ a b "Ukraine takes protests to presidential palace". The World from PRX. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "How to oust a dictator in 93 days". www.eurozine.com. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Occupy Mezhyhirya: Squatting the Mansion of Ukraine's Ex-President". Ex Utopia. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "The Crass Menagerie: Protesters, Media Swarm Yanukovych Country House". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ In pictures: Luxury Ukraine presidential home revealed, BBC News (23 February 2014)
- ^ Vlad Lavrov: Mezhyhirya still a symbol of Ukraine, Kyiv Post (July 24, 2014)
- Hromadske.TV(8 February 2018)
- ^ Law of Ukraine. On returning of the government residence "Mezhyhirya" in state ownership. Verkhovna Rada. February 23, 2014
- ^ Court returns land in Mezhyhirya to state, says PGO in Kyiv region, Interfax-Ukraine (25 June 2014)
- ^ Ukrayinska Pravda(11 March 2022)
- ^ Yanukovych rented in Mezhyhirya private office. Tochka.net. February 27, 2012
- ^ Berkut arrived to defend Yanukovych's Mezhihirya from journalists. ictv. June 6, 2013
- ^ Mezhyhirya. syohodni. TVi.
- ^ For the first time during the years independence near the lighthouse of Vyshhorod appeared military: "Defending Viktor Yanukovych. Do you know such?" censor.net. December 5, 2012
- ^ Yanukovych's residence was enclosed by the 6-meter fence and prohibited to fly over it. Dzerkalo Tyzhnia ("Mirror Weekly"). November 16, 2011
- ^ (in Ukrainian) На "Межигір'я" рушила колона автомобілів: активісти хочуть заблокувати президента On the way to the residence of the President of activists stopped by the Berkut, Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn (1 December 2013)
- ^ Euromaidan activists depart for Mezhyhirya residence, Interfax-Ukraine (6 December 2013)
Traffic on road towards Mezhyhirya residence blocked off by police – media, Interfax-Ukraine (6 December 2013) - Ukrayinska Pravda. April 19, 2010
- ^ Leshchenko, S. "Yanukovych sheltered in Mezhyhirya... the hunting club of deputies-regionalists". November 26, 2009
- ^ Serov, I., Homon, D., Kasianova, I. "In Mezhyhirya Yanukovych has a zoo, aerodrome, and orangery". Segodnya. June 7, 2010
- ^ Ukrayinska Pravda. June 8, 2011. Accessed February 15, 2014
- Ukrayinska Pravda. August 31, 2010. Accessed February 15, 2014
- ^ "Occupy Mezhyhirya: Squatting the Mansion of Ukraine's Ex-President". Ex Utopia. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ Ukrayinska Pravda. April 6, 2012. Accessed February 15, 2014
- Ukrayinska Pravda(25 February 2014)
- ^ Schrader, Jürgen; Riedmann, Bernhard (11 March 2014). "360-Grad-Ansichten: Janukowitschs Gold-Villa" (url). Der Spiegel (in German). Der Spiegel-Abo. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
External links
- Open Access – a movie on corruption in modern Ukraine, including the episode where the President of Ukraine refuses any explanations about Mezhyhirya.
- Open Access (full video with English subtitles, YouTube)
- Leshchenko, S. Mezhyhirya: Paradise for Yanukovych (Part I, Part II). "Ukrayinska Pravda", 2010
- Mezhyhirya. Day of Journalist (2013). Telekritika.
- Chernovol, T. Six dachas of Yanukovych and three boxes of lies. Levyi bereg. August 31, 2009.