The Symyrenko Family: Ukrainian Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Who Shaped Ukrainian Culture

Article by Danylo Chetverikov

The Symyrenko family were Ukrainian entrepreneurs, scientists, and patrons of the arts in the 19th century. They are known for developing the sugar industry and mechanical engineering, as well as for supporting education and culture in Ukraine. Today, they are often cited as an example of Ukrainian philanthropists who combined business with social impact. In this article, we explore how the family grew from a small enterprise into a large-scale business and examine their contribution to the Ukrainian culture of philanthropy.

Who Are the Symyrenkos?

The Symyrenko family descends from a Cossack lineage. After the dissolution of the Zaporizhzhia Sich, part of the family fell into serfdom – and it is from this point that their journey toward becoming philanthropists begins.

The first to change the family’s circumstances was Fedir Symyrenko. He was involved in leasing mills and trading flour – a common occupation at the time. However, it was precisely this work that allowed him to accumulate capital and eventually buy himself and his family out of serfdom.

After gaining their freedom, the Symyrenkos had the opportunity not only to trade but also to expand their business. Together with the Yakhnenko family (relatives through Fedir Symyrenko’s marriage to Anastasia Yakhnenko), they founded the company “The Yakhnenko and Symyrenko Brothers,” which eventually became one of the first large agro-industrial enterprises in Ukrainian lands.

Business and Industrial Development

The Symyrenko family’s business was initially based on agricultural trade, but over time they transitioned into manufacturing. In the 1840s, the family opened one of the first steam-powered sugar refineries in Mliiv, in the Cherkasy region.

The idea for this came from Fedir’s son, Platon Symyrenko, who was educated in France and brought back new technological approaches. It was he who convinced his father and the Yakhnenko family to invest in sugar production – a turning point for the entire business. This approach allowed them to build not just a company, but a full-scale industrial complex with modern equipment, some of it imported from Europe.

Over time, the business expanded significantly. They were involved not only in trade but in the entire production chain – from growing sugar beets and processing them into sugar to manufacturing equipment and training workers.

For example, they established a technical school in Mliiv to train specialists. An entire industrial town grew around their enterprises: housing was built for workers, and there was a hospital, a school, and shops. The workday lasted about eight hours – which was unusual at the time. By the mid-19th century, the scale of the Symyrenko enterprise had already surpassed that of Kyiv’s industrial output.

It is also worth mentioning the family’s connection to Taras Shevchenko. He visited Mliiv and was struck by the living conditions of the workers. According to contemporaries, what he saw impressed him so much that he described it as an example of what a more just society could look like.

Contributions to Science and Culture

Alongside developing their business, the Symyrenkos actively supported education, science, and Ukrainian culture. The most prominent figure in this regard is another of Fedir’s sons, Vasyl Symyrenko – an entrepreneur and patron who systematically funded Ukrainian book publishing in the second half of the 19th century.

At that time, the Ukrainian language faced severe restrictions in the Russian Empire, particularly through the Valuev Circular (1863) and the Ems Decree (1876), which effectively banned the printing of most Ukrainian-language texts. As a result, many publications were only possible thanks to private patronage.

Vasyl Symyrenko allocated funds for the preparation, printing, and distribution of Ukrainian books. Among the most notable examples are his support for the work of Mykhailo Hrushevsky, Lesia Ukrainka, and Mykhailo Kotsyubynsky, as well as funding for Ukrainian periodicals, including Kyivska Staryna. According to the recollections of another well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist, Yevhen Chykalenko, Vasyl would visit the magazine’s editorial office each year to learn what resources were lacking – and cover those needs. At its peak, his company donated up to 10% of its annual profits to the development of Ukrainian literature.

However, the family’s cultural patronage was not limited to Vasyl Fedorovych alone. Another key figure is his brother, Platon Symyrenko, who helped finance the publication of Taras Shevchenko’s Kobzar during the poet’s lifetime by providing a substantial sum of money. According to their agreement, Shevchenko was to repay the debt with books. The title page of the edition bore the inscription: “Funded by Platon Symyrenko.” However, it is known that Vasyl did not seek publicity and was even dissatisfied with this wording, as it was customary in the family to help without drawing attention to it.

At the same time, the Symyrenkos invested in education. Schools for employees and their children operated at their enterprises, and the technical school mentioned earlier functioned in Mliiv. This not only ensured a skilled workforce but also contributed to raising the overall level of education and living standards in the region.

Another area of focus was support for science, particularly horticulture and plant breeding. The well-known apple variety “Renet Simyrenko,” which remains popular and is still grown in Ukraine today, is associated with the family. It was first described and popularized by Levko Symyrenko, Platon’s son, who made a significant contribution to horticulture as a scientific field. In this way, the family’s influence extended beyond business, spanning fields from culture to applied science.

Conclusion: The Symyrenkos as Ukrainian Philanthropists and Entrepreneurs

The Symyrenkos are often referred to as Ukrainian philanthropists – and, as we can see, this is no coincidence. They invested a significant share of their resources not only in their business but also in the broader community: supporting education, funding cultural initiatives, and developing infrastructure. Because of this, they are remembered not only as successful entrepreneurs but also as people who genuinely improved the lives of those around them.

At the same time, their story highlights another important point: a family that managed to overcome adversity and free itself from serfdom preserved and passed on the value of supporting others. It is a reminder that philanthropy does not necessarily begin with vast resources – it begins with a willingness to contribute and take responsibility for the common good.

“Everyone must do what they are capable of. They know how to handle public affairs, so let them do that – and since I know how to make money, I must make it for Ukraine,” said Vasyl Fedorovych. “If Ukraine didn’t need money, I wouldn’t work so hard.”

Sources:

1. https://suspilne.media/cherkasy/1204232-vid-kripaka-do-miljonera-ak-simirenki-na-cerkasini-zbuduvali-cukrovu-imperiu/

2. https://esu.com.ua/article-888190

3. https://www.golos.com.ua/article/49323