The 270th anniversary of the American Cossack

The Gabfest English speaking Club members (at Window on America center in Dnipro, Ukraine) have learned already to present in English the Cossack history and glory of the Dnipro river area. Today we have surprised them with an incredible story of the American Cossack – the US Admiral John Paul Jones.
This historical personality will   give something common to share for the people of the USA and Ukraine.
This July we celebrate the 270th anniversary of the U.S. national hero, one of the founders of the American Navy – Mr. John Paul Jones. The amazing fact is   that Mr. Paul Jones was also the Rear Admiral of the Russian Empire’s Navy (1788). He was the commander of the Black Sea sailing flotilla and took an active part in the Russian-Turkish war. He participated in the so-called Battles of the Liman that took place in the estuary of the Dnipro river near the Ochakiv fortress. There he met the legendary Ukrainian Cossacks’ leaders – otamans  Antin Holovaty and Sydir Billy. The Cossacks were so impressed with Paul Jones’s bravery that they have inducted him into the Ukrainian Cossacks Brotherhood and gave him a present – the Ukrainian Cossack traditional outfit.

The Club members were familiarized with the DOUNB Library books dedicated to John Paul Johns. They watched biographical videos   about John Paul Johns, read and translated the article from the US Embassy in Ukraine blog – "John Paul Jones: American Cossack" (by Ms. Emma Hutchins, Public Diplomacy Intern), learned how Americans honor their countryman, responded to the questions of Ms. T. Gavryliuk, the session’s moderator.
The challenge for the English learners was a collective attempt to describe and decipher the battle painting "The Siege of Ochakiv" (by Januarius Sukhodolsky). The picture gave an insight into the army-navy operation in which John Paul Jones took part.
Participants number – 27 persons.

Have a look at more pictures, please