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Nova Basan Territorial Community
Chernihiv
Population:
The Nova Basan Territorial Community of the Nizhyn District is one of the few communities of the Chernihiv Region, whose history began upon the implementation of the decentralization reform in Ukraine, that is, in the early 2017. The community today consists of 13 settlements of 6 village councils of the former Bobrovytsia District with a territory of 32,670 hectares.
It is inhabited by 6,609 residents (approximately equal numbers of men and women).
men: 3,086
women: 3,523
History
The Nova Basan Territorial Community is located in the southern part of the Chernihiv Region. Its largest settlements emerged in the 15th century and in the early 17th century. The administrative centre, the village of Nova Basan, was known in the middle of the 15th century as a border fortress of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
It is located on the banks of the Nedra River, a tributary of the Trubezh. Its name comes from the old Ukrainian word basa meaning beautiful.
In the history of the community, there are many outstanding personalities who lived in various historical periods and became famous in various areas of activities. They include statesmen and businessmen, scientists and doctors, literati and writers. But one of the most famous figures in the history of Nova Basana is undoubtedly clergyman and active public figure Father Matvii Polonskyi.
He was not only a priest, but also a great builder of this village. A school, a church, a hospital, and a cultural centre were built thanks to his initiative, assistance and efforts.
The neighbouring village of Staryi Bykiv is known for its famous mounds of nomadic tribes that inhabited the territory in the 2nd – 1st millenniums BC.
In the territory of the village of Novyi Bykiv, there is an architectural landmark – the Meyendorff Castle and the Church of the Assumption built in 1801 – 1804 upon orders of Hetman of Ukraine Kyrylo Rozumovskyi.
The community also includes the picturesque village of Voronky. It is in Voronky that the Volkonskyi couple was buried: Prince Serhii Hryhorovych Volkonskyi and his wife Maria Mykolaivna. She was the first among the wives of the Decembrists who, following her example, defied the tsarist government and went to unknown Siberia – the place of their husbands’ penal servitude.
Economy and Wellbeing
The basis of the community’s economy is agriculture, which is an important source of revenues to the community’s budget. Crop production prevails. Cereals, sunflower, corn, soy are grown. This is the field of operations of medium-sized agricultural companies.
But the Nova Basan community cares not only about land cultivation.
It also plans its future intending to build a modern centre for the development of culture and leisure. Because, unfortunately, there is no cultural centre in the administrative centre of the community, although the cultural potential of its residents is huge. The community has very talented people, young people striving for self-development. The Koloryt great choir works in the community having the title of “People’s Choir”.
Community and War
Due to the military aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine, the settlements of the Nova Basan Territorial Community of the Nizhyn District were under russian occupation in the period from February 27 to March 31, 2022.
As a result of hostilities, 398 residential buildings were damaged with 69 of them being completely destroyed.
The social infrastructure facilities were destroyed as well: schools, kindergartens, hospitals and a large amount of social infrastructure facilities were damaged.
The building where emergency medical services had been provided was completely ruined. During the hostilities the Novobasan community lost 19 civilians who were killed. A member of the local territorial defence forces was killed, too – a resident of the Voronky Starosta-headed district. 15 residents of the community were injured.
People of the Community
The head of the community is Mykola Diachenko, a native of the village of Nova Basan. He has been in office since 2020. During the occupation of the village of Nova Basan, he was taken prisoner by the russian military, being in captivity from March 05 until the day the village was liberated on 30 March 2022.
The secretary of the community council is Victoria Samboryn. She has been in office since 2021. Before that, she worked as a teacher of the Ukrainian Language and Literature. The main credo of Victoria’s life is: “Children are our future.” Victoria Leonidivna’s students were winners of Olympiads, regional, national and international artistic contests, the defence contest of the Small Academy of Sciences.
Development Strategy
The community is currently elaborating its development strategy for the coming years, but the priority plans are to restore the infrastructure.
In addition, the community plans to pay great attention to the development of its residents’ cultural leisure.
List of Sources
- Official website of the Nova Basan Community
- Facebook page of the Nova Basan Community
- Facebook page of Mykola Diachenko (village head)