Husiatyn Territorial Community

History

Husiatyn, also formerly called Vsiatyn or Usiatyn, has been known since 1431. The name comes either from “husiatnyk” (Eng. “gooseberry plant”) or from the male name Us.

In 1772, the border between the two empires passed along the river: the right bank belonged to the Austrian Habsburgs, the left – to the Russian Romanovs.

Austrian Husiatyn skillfully used its border location. Every Wednesday, merchants from all over Ukraine gathered at the market place. At first, they got there via an uncertain wooden bridge over Zbruch, which was regularly destroyed by floods.

The most interesting sight of Husiatyn that has survived to this day is the synagogue located in the town park. Built approximately at the beginning of the 17th century, it was adapted for defense together with other town buildings of that time – a castle, an Orthodox church, and a Catholic church. The key-shaped loop holers to which stairs hidden in the walls of the building led remind us of the defensive significance of the building. These stairs have been preserved to this day.

In 1979, a local history museum was opened in the renovated synagogue building. During the renovation, the facade and interior were restored, and the western and northern annexes were built in the architectural forms of the early 20th century. In 2002, the museum moved to new premises. Since that time, the synagogue building has been empty and is gradually falling into disrepair. 

Another defensive building was the Onufriiv Church, built around 1600. It could simultaneously serve as a temple and a fortress. The thickness of its walls reaches 1.9 – 2.2 meters. The temple was surrounded by a defensive wall.

There is a water mill from Austrian times under a tiled roof in one of the community villages.

The Husiatyn Local History Museum presents a wide exposition of the history of the community.

Economy and Welfare

Several furniture factories operate on the territory of the Husiatyn settlement council. Furniture production is rapidly developing in the community, so, there is an enterprise for the production of furniture accessories, Etera, in the village of Lychkivtsi.

Also, there is a machine-building enterprise “Olbrizservis” on the territory of the community which manufactures ball water valves.

Significant deposits of mineral water here allow for the development of their mass production. This is what the Batih Enterprise does.

In addition, there is a bakery and a Fathers Wine craft winery on the territory of the community.

Considering that the community is the agricultural area, agricultural enterprises are actively developing here.

There are 10 schools in the community enrolling about 1,500 students.

There are also 6 kindergartens, a center for children’s and youth creativity, and a children’s and youth sports school.

The field of medicine is represented by a hospital and a polyclinic, as well as 300 outpatient clinics and 7 medical and obstetrical stations.

Husiatyn has the status of a resort town due to its unique deposits of mineral water. Novozbruchanska water with its two types of weakly mineralized and highly mineralized (“Ropa”) water, has no analogues in the world. The Husiatyn Balneological Hospital provides water treatment in the community.

Community and War

The Husiatyn settlement territorial community joined in helping the military and became a shelter for many internally displaced persons from the first days of the war.

The community has managed to organize cooperation with many charitable foundations, in particular the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

The Red Cross Society of Ukraine has repeatedly visited the community and brought humanitarian cargo.

Considering the large number of internally displaced people, the community was not overlooked by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The Rokada charitable organization, with which the Husiatyn community signed a cooperation agreement, took over the personal care of the center for compact living of internally displaced persons.

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the sister town of Oborniki Śląskie (Poland) actively joined in helping the community.

The sister town of Baruth/Mark (Germany) also provides assistance whenever possible.

On the eve of the Easter holidays, the annual campaign “Easter basket for the military” is held in Starosta-headed districts. Easter cakes, Easter eggs, homemade meat products, horseradish, homemade pastries and other goodies, consecrated by local priests, are sent to the defenders.

People of the Community

Stepan Karpo is the head of the community.

At the moment, cooperation is being established between the utility company “Vodokanal-service” and representatives of water utilities in German towns. This made it possible to receive water supply equipment as humanitarian aid.

The community received an ultrasound diagnostic device to improve its medical services thanks to cooperation with the German charity organization, the Blue and Yellow Cross.

The community is the center of various international delegations. Since 2020, representatives from Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Estonia, Poland, Canada, and the USA, has visited the community.

Development Strategy

The community has an approved strategy until 2025.

A number of investment projects are implemented in the community to put the strategy into practice. In particular, they are aimed at improving water supply and drainage in the settlement of Husiatyn. 

Thanks to the cooperation with the German town of Baruth/Mark, 260 cubic meter water tanks were installed in order to ensure a supply of drinking water despite the constant shelling of the infrastructure.

The community also managed to buy two new pumps which will reduce electricity costs.

Educational institutions in the community are renovated on an annual basis.

The community cares about improving the health of the population. So, the sports hall of the children’s and youth sports school was renovated in 2023.

List of Sources

• Sources of the information/photos:
• Husiatyn Local History Museum
• Facebook
• Website of the Husiatyn community
• Husiatyn community – welcome to the official website (hsr.gov.ua)
• Facebook page of the Husiatyn settlement council
• Facebook
• Website of the Department of Education, Family, Youth and Sports of the Husiatyn Settlement Council
• Department of Education, Family, Youth and Sports of the Husiatyn Settlement Council – welcome to the official website (osv.org.ua)
• Presentation of the community
• youtu.be
• Husiatyn. On the border of empires – LB.ua news portal
• facebook.com