Mykhailo Bernov as a Pioneer of Hiking Tourism: Travels Through the South of Ukraine and the Ukraine and the Crimea (Part I. South of Ukraine. August, 1895)

Abstract

This article examines the activities of Mykhailo Bernov as one of the founders of hiking tourism in the Russian Empire and Europe, his travels through Southern Ukraine, and then through the Crimea in the summer of 1895, the public updating of knowledge about the region and publishing activity. In the first part of this research, M. Bernov's travel route is reconstructed based on his travel notes «From Odessa on foot to Crimea. Letters of a Russian Pedestrian» (St. Petersburg, 1896) and his impressions of his journey through Southern Ukraine are detailed. The source research potential of notes is analyzed. It was concluded that M. Bernov created a wide and colorful picture of the life of the polyethnic population of the region at the end of the 19th century, recorded the peculiarities of their national culture and character, prospects for economic development and social inequality of different strata of the population. The main focus of M. Bernov's attention is concentrated on a person and his everyday, living observation sometimes leads to dispelling stereotypes about certain ethnic groups. He also communicated with ordinary people, but he tried to meet with the local administration, officials, military personnel, famous persons, and scientists. M. Bernov left interesting descriptions of visits to the estates of the wealthiest landowning families of Southern Ukraine – the Skadovskys and the Falz-Feyns. Among other things, the traveler notes the Ukrainian (including Cossack) component in the culture, history and population of the region. In general, M. Bernov is characterized by an imperial style of thinking, the use of derogatory names of ethnic groups and territories, which was common in the Russian Empire at the end of the 19th century. The traveler often compares the natural beauty of Southern Ukraine with the landscapes of various parts of Europe, North Africa and other («Russian») provinces. He also wanted to see local monuments of architecture, history, archeology, art, museums, theaters. In general, the traveler considered the South of Ukraine to be an unattractive region for tourists due to the summer heat, dust, undeveloped infrastructure, etc.

Keywords

• bernov m. o.
• southern ukraine
• crimea
• hiking tourism
• travel notes