De Veer’s diary

Translation into Russian and publication of the famous diaries of the Willem Barentsz and Jacob van Heemskerck expeditions of 1594-1597.

The story of the adventurous Dutchmen, who ended up in Nova Zembla, is one of incredible dare, entrepreneurship, vision and tragedy. The story was documented by Gerrit de Veer, the ship's carpenter. He produced an impressive and detailed account of the expeditions that is of a remarkable literary quality. His diaries were translated into many languages through the centuries.

The first complete Russian translation of the diary was made - directly from the original 16th century Dutch - by prof. dr. I.M. Michailova (State University of St. Petersburg). Additional chapters on the 16th century Holland and on late 20th century archaeological research in Nova Zembla were written by dr. P.V. Boyarsky (D.S. Likhachev Institute for Cultural and Natural Heritage), prof. dr. J. Gawronski (head of the Municipal Archaeology Service of Amsterdam), and dr. Luuc Kooijmans (historian at the Amsterdam Museum). Rare colour illustrations were kindly provided by Mr. Graham Arader, dealer in rare books and maps in New York City.

The festive presentation of the book took place on May 31, 2011 in the State Historical Museum, Red Square 1, Moscow. At the presentation, prof. dr. Louwrens Hacquebord of the Arctic Centre at the University of Groningen highlighted the importance of Willem Barentsz' discoveries from the perspective of the new challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. The endeavor of the Dutch explorers to open a maritime passage North of Russia to the East failed, but with the fast melting of the Arctic ice, current generations will witness the emergence of a new ocean passage. This offers new opportunities for peaceful international cooperation in the fields of science, resource development and transport.

OBJECTIVES
Awareness raising about the Barentsz expedition to Nova Zembla as part of a history shared by Russia and the Netherlands.

RESULTS
The book 'Arctic expeditions of Willem Barentsz 1594-1597' was published and officially presented in May 2011.