Vashkivtsi Territorial Community

History

Vashkivtsi is a small town with a rich history and traditions. It was mentioned for the first time in documents of the 15th century under the name Vaskivtsi, which comes from the name Vasko. Photos of the early 20th century, taken during the time of Austria-Hungary, remind us of the former greatness of the town which could really be called the urban center at that time.

Today, Vashkivtsi is one of the cozy corners of Bukovyna. The town houses the manor museum of Heorhiy Haras, an outstanding ornamental artist who lived in 1901-1972. His works, inspired by the folk art of embroidery, have gained recognition even among the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada. 

Mount Annyna is only three kilometers from the town center. It is 304 meters high, with silver domes of monastery churches. According to legend, this mountain is named after girl Anna, who escaped from enemies during the Turkish yoke to this mountain. Local residents consider this place holy and built a cross here in honor of Anna. Since then, a healing spring has been flowing here, which attracts many people. In 1993, the Convent of St. Righteous Anna was founded here.

Rural population centers that are part of the community are also attractive for tourism. In addition to picturesque landscapes, they also attract visitors with their unique cultural and architectural monuments.

In the village of Voloka, the Assumption (St. Nicholas) church of the house type, built in 1784, has been preserved.

In the village of Zamostia, you can find a late Paleolithic site and the remains of an ancient Rus settlement of the 12th-13th centuries.

There is the Kryshtofovychs’ palace in the village of Karapchiv, which is one of the architectural jewels of the region. Today, the palace performs an important social function – a village school is located within its walls, which adds a special color and significance to this historical object.

The remains of the settlement of the Carpathian mound culture, as well as the remains of the Slavic settlement of Horodyshche (Hmeliv fortress) can be found here. There is also the Church of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, built in 1816. In the village of Valy, you can see the wooden church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which dates back to 1829.

In addition, the wealth of historical and cultural monuments located in the villages of the community makes this region attractive for lovers of ethnographic, religious and cultural tourism. From ancient churches and palaces to unique archaeological finds, every corner of the community offers opportunities for exciting journeys into the past and exploring the region’s rich heritage.

Also, the roads of the community served as tracks for special sections of the stage of the Rally Championship of Ukraine, which indicates the high suitability of the area for holding such sports events. All this makes the community an ideal place for the development of tourism, which will combine active recreation with educational routes.

Economy and Welfare

The economy of the community is based on a combination of traditional industries and new areas that are gradually developing. The main sectors are agriculture, trade and wood processing industry. Agriculture plays a key role, providing a significant part of the population with income through the cultivation of cereals, vegetables, fruits and livestock.

Zakhidagro LLC occupies an important place in the cultivation of high-quality grain crops. The enterprise, founded for the purpose of introducing advanced technologies in agriculture, is rapidly developing and becoming an important player in the agro-industrial sector of the area. Thanks to modern agrotechnical methods, advanced irrigation systems and high-quality seeds, Zakhidagro consistently provides high-quality harvests of wheat, barley, corn and other grain crops.

Also, an important element of the community’s economy is the cultivation of raspberries and currants, which has gained significant development thanks to favorable climatic conditions and fertile soils. These berries not only provide the local population with fresh products, but also become an important part of the agrarian business of the community.

Beekeeping is one of the traditional and important spheres of the community’s activity. Honey extraction contributes not only to the economic development of the community, but also to the preservation of biodiversity, because bees play an important role in pollinating plants. The honey produced in the community is renowned for its high quality, which is the result of careful bee care, a clean environment and adherence to traditional beekeeping methods. This honey does not contain artificial impurities, antibiotics or chemical additives, which makes it a completely environmentally friendly product.

The community aims to provide a high standard of living for each resident by ensuring access to quality health care, education, social support and cultural activities. This contributes to the creation of a favorable social environment and the general well-being of the region.

Community and War

The war that befell the community brought numerous challenges and difficulties, significantly changing the social, economic and cultural life of the area. However, due to its strategic location and effective security measures, the region did not suffer serious damage.

The community demonstrated its unity and patriotism by actively supporting the military. In a short time, several cars were purchased for the front which defend our country every day. Local residents organize the collection and delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, clothing, medicine and other essential items. Voluntary activity plays an important role in this support: the community is actively engaged in the production of camouflage nets, trench candles and fundraising for the needs of the army.

The community has a hospital that plays a key role in providing medical care to servicemen who have lost limbs. This is a medical institution where every patient receives not only qualified medical care, but also psychological support, which is an important step on the path to rehabilitation. The hospital became a symbol of care and gratitude for the courage and self-sacrifice of those who defend Ukraine.

The community also became a refuge for internally displaced persons who were forced to leave their homes due to the war. Local residents actively participated in helping the new arrivals, organizing the collection of humanitarian aid, providing housing and facilitating their integration into the new environment. Thanks to joint efforts, internally displaced persons were able to find support and a new life in our community.

People of the Community

Since 2020, the Vashkivtsi urban territorial community has been headed by a dedicated leader, Mykola Perch, who tirelessly works for the benefit of local residents. Under his leadership, a number of important projects aimed at improving the infrastructure and quality of life in the community were implemented.

Thanks to the support of international partners, a major repair and insulation of the facade of Vashkivtsi Kindergarten No. 1 was carried out.

The Administrative Services Center was created and opened, which greatly simplified access to public services.

The partial overhaul of the central town square and the purchase of telemedicine equipment for rural dispensaries increased the quality of medical care.

A special achievement is the project “Major Renovation of the Vashkivtsi School”, where, in addition to thermal modernization, 30 kW solar panels were installed on the roof of the school.

The community is currently implementing the project “SCHOOL OF THE INVINCIBLE”, aimed at the rehabilitation and social integration of people with limb loss on the basis of the Vashkivtsi Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Hospital with a Polyclinic Department. This project is implemented as part of the U-LEAD with Europe Program, which supports local empowerment, accountability and development. 

Also, there are amateur folk choir of the Vashkivtsi Cultural Center; folk amateur dance ensemble “Cheremshyna”, and folk amateur orchestra of wind instruments in the community.

However, it is the biggest carnival in Ukraine – Vashkivtsi Malanka Pereberia – which brought real glory to Vashkivtsi. Every year on the night of January 13 to 14, on the feast of the great martyr Melania, the whole town transforms into a bright carnival. Local residents put on traditional costumes, as well as the famous “Vashkivtsi bears”.

Every year, new characters are added to the traditional images, making the holiday even brighter. The biggest event takes place on January 14, on St. Basil’s Day, when the Malanka festival takes place, to which even a separate museum with a collection of about 200 exhibits is dedicated.

Development Strategy

On December 20, 2018, the Community Development Strategy until 2027 was approved, which reflects the interests of all citizens. Its main directions include the creation of favorable conditions for the development of entrepreneurship and attracting investments, as well as the development of agriculture and the introduction of new technologies. An important aspect is the development of medical services, support of rehabilitation and integration programs for people with disabilities.

Modernization of water supply and energy saving systems, introduction of alternative energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency are also priority areas. The community plans to create conditions for waste disposal and greening of the territory, as well as provide support for initiative groups, volunteer projects and increase the level of public activity.

The community also has a sister town – Sioux Lookout, Ontario (Canada), which is an important step in strengthening international relations and exchanging cultural, economic and social experiences. Cooperation with the sister town opens up new opportunities for development and exchange of best practices in various spheres of life.

The Vashkivtsi community is an example of dedication and effective management, successfully overcoming challenges and achieving significant progress in the development of infrastructure, social and medical services. Its ability to adapt to changes and respond to the needs of residents creates a solid foundation for further development and prosperity.

List of Sources

• Website of the Vashkivtsi City Council
• Facebook page
• Vashkivtsi Cheremshyna NGO 
• Facebook page of the Vashkivtsi Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Hospital with a Polyclinic Department 
• ukrainaincognita.com
• facebook.com
• youtube.com
• ukrainaincognita.com