As long as I live I hope!
Within the framework of events dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory, Defence Intelligence personnel met with Eugene Bereznyak, a living legend of the intelligence.
On April 21, 2010, a round table conversation was held at the DIU’s HQ inspired by popular demand and initiated by agency’s Chief, Lieutenant General Victor Hvozd. The hero of the meeting was a living legend of intelligence, Hero of Ukraine, Honoured Teacher of Ukraine, Honoured Citizen of Kyiv and Krakow, Honoured member of the Academy of Education of Ukraine, Major General, ret. Eugene Bereznyak.
Dum spiro spero – “as long as I live I hope” – such was the main subject of the meeting inspired by a phrase which Eugene Bereznyak found written on a wall in a Gestapo death cell and later transformed into his life’s creed. Noteworthy are several specific features of the meeting. For example, a vivid, informative photographic display was brought to the attention of the audience before the meeting to illustrate Bereznyak’s life and war paths, his creative and professional achievements.
The conversation itself took the shape of an exciting professional dialogue between Eugene Bereznyak and the audience, while the atmosphere of creativity and informality dominated the room.
In his story, repeatedly interrupted by applause, Eugene Bereznyak addressed the most important moments of his long, difficult, and eventful life. In particular, he spoke in detail about the beginning of his career in the intelligence and his final days in the enemy rear. Answering a question about the secret of his long life (Eugene Bereznyak turned 96 just recently), he pointed out his formula: hard work, profound and sincere respect to the Motherland, and the love for life. Perhaps this is why life greatly rewarded him with the opportunity to follow the call of his heart, to create the new, to pass his invaluable experience to younger generations and to preserve his inexhaustible optimism, clarity of thinking, sharpness of memory, and humour.
Eugene Bereznyak took his time to point out and express the words of his appreciation of the DIU’s professional achievements, its place and role in Ukraine’s national security system, its long-lasting and fruitful cooperation with the veterans, and the continuity of traditions carefully harnessed in the agency.
The conversation was accompanied by the demonstration of various photographic, video materials taken from several documentaries and motion pictures, and above all, from “Major Vykhr”, whose main character Eugene Bereznyak was a prototype for. The media accompaniment helped the audience’s better comprehension of the legendary intelligence officer’s memories.
In conclusion, Eugene Bereznyak presented a Ukrainian edition of J. Semenov’s “Major Vykhr” book to be displayed at the DIU Museum, spoke of his plans for the future, greeted the intelligence agency’s personnel on the upcoming anniversary of the Great Victory, and wished them health and further professional achievements for the sake of Ukraine.
In his turn, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Victor Hvozd thanked Eugene Bereznyak for his informative story, voiced his hope for further fruitful cooperation, greeted him with the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and presented the veteran with souvenirs.
The event was followed by the performance of “Oberih” ensemble which made a touching music present to Eugene Bereznyak and the rest of the audience by performing war-era songs.
