Voznesenske Territorial Community

History

Voznesenske Community is a place where history comes to life in nature, monuments and human destinies. Archaeologists have found Bronze Age mounds near the village, confirming that the area was inhabited thousands of years ago. The first written mention of the area dates back to the end of the 17th century, when there was a free sloboda here. In the 1730s, the settlement was handed over to General Fyodor von Stofeln, who was a foreign military advisor. It was his surname (in the folk pronunciation – Shtompel) that gave the village its name – Shtompelivka.

In the early nineteenth century, the village became the property of the Kapnist counts, who built a luxurious estate in the style of European castles with towers, columns and statues. In addition to the magnificent palace, the Kapnists laid out a park with centuries-old oaks and a large library. Unfortunately, the revolutionary events of 1917 led to the destruction of this architectural heritage – the palace was burned and the park was cut down.

In 1820, the Ascension Orthodox Church was built in the village, which gave the village a new name – Voznesenske.

Peasant life in the nineteenth century was not easy. Before the reform of 1861, the village was divided between two owners. The land allotments received by peasants after the abolition of serfdom were meagre.

In 1905, the village became one of the centres of peasant protest, with an uprising of small-scale peasants led by Travutskyi and Zaiarnyi. It was brutally suppressed, and the leaders were exiled to Siberia.

The events of the twentieth century left a deep mark on the history of the community. After the Soviet occupation in 1929-1930, collective farms were forcibly created here, accompanied by dekulakisation and repression.

In the post-war decades, the community actively developed. In the 1960s, power grids, a sugar factory and a bakery were built to supply bread to the surrounding villages.

Today, the Voznesenske Community not only preserves its past but also shapes the present. On its territory there are monuments reminiscent of prominent Ukrainians. In the village of Bohuslavets, there is a Linden tree, a natural symbol of the memory of the first rector of Kyiv University, Mykhailo Maksymovych, and a literary museum dedicated to his legacy.

Voznesenske is also the birthplace of the Ukrainian writer and translator Kesar Bilylovskyi (1845-1892), who made a significant contribution to the national revival. His translations of European literature and patriotic lyrics helped to preserve Ukrainian cultural identity in difficult historical times.

Economy and Welfare

The Voznesenske Community is the agricultural heart of the Cherkasy region, where modern technologies are combined with centuries-old agricultural traditions. The local economy is based on the cultivation and processing of agricultural products, which provides jobs and sustainable development in the region.

The largest enterprises operating in the community are the agro-industrial companies Kernel and Progres. 

Kernel is one of the leaders in the Ukrainian agricultural sector, specialising in the cultivation, storage and processing of agricultural crops, including oilseeds. Its activities contribute to the economic development of the community and job creation.

Progres is located in the village of Bohuslavets. It is one of the leading agricultural enterprises in the region, which grows grain and industrial crops, implements modern agricultural technologies and supplies products to the domestic market.

Community agriculture is not just about production. This means investing in the future, innovative approaches to land cultivation, reasonable use of resources and a commitment to sustainable development. Owing to the work of local enterprises, the Voznesenske Community remains an important player in Ukraine’s agricultural sector.

The Community and the War

With the start of the full-scale invasion, the life of the Voznesenske Community changed forever. The war brought anxiety, trials, and losses, but it was also a moment of great unity. 

From the very first days, the locals self-organised: men and women were on duty at checkpoints, helped with territorial defence, and provided the military with food, clothing, and other necessities. The community has become a refuge for more than 405 internally displaced persons who lost their homes due to the war. Local residents opened their homes to those in need, arranged temporary accommodation, and shared food, clothing, and medicine.

Volunteerism has become an integral part of community life. Humanitarian aid collections were organised, necessary items were purchased for the military, and aid was delivered to residents of the affected regions. Community schools have become particularly active. Students and teachers have taken on a significant amount of volunteering: in the classrooms, they wove camouflage nets, made trench candles, packed food parcels, and baked home-made pastries for Ukrainian defenders to send them a piece of home warmth.

In addition, the community’s educational and cultural institutions regularly hold charity fairs, concerts and exhibitions to raise funds to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These events unite the community and show that everyone can contribute to the victory.

Despite all the difficulties, the Voznesenske Community remains strong, united and steadfast. The war has brought many challenges, but together people have learned to overcome them by helping each other and supporting those who are fighting for Ukraine’s freedom.

Community People

The Voznesenske Community is not only a territory, but also people who work hard for its development. Since 2020, Oleksandr Tytarenko, a leader who has initiated and implemented many important changes, has been the head of the community. Under his leadership, the community has made significant steps forward in security, social protection, and communication between the authorities and residents.

In particular, a modern public warning system was introduced to provide timely information to the public in critical situations. An automatic language alert system in case of fire was installed in the community’s schools. An important step was the opening of a Crisis Centre to help victims of domestic violence. 

The community has also taken care of security: a police station has appeared in the village, where a community officer works, and a service car has been purchased to respond to calls.

Oleksandr Tytarenko initiated the introduction of a dialogue meeting format, which has become a platform for open communication between the authorities and residents. This allows residents to discuss current issues, propose ideas, and influence decisions that shape the future of the community.

The community is not only actively developing, but also preserving its traditions. Every year, the village celebrates the Village Day, Kupala holiday, and the Independence Day of Ukraine. These events bring people together, support cultural heritage and strengthen the sense of community.

Sport is an important part of community life. Much attention is paid to football and volleyball, which are popular with both young people and adults. Tournaments are held regularly, and the most important are competitions in memory of the military who gave their lives for Ukraine. These are not just sporting events, but a symbol of respect, unity and gratitude to the defenders.

The Voznesenske Community is a community of active, caring people who create their future together

Development Strategy

The Voznesenske Community has a clear vision of its future, which is defined in the Development Strategy until 2027. The main priorities are aimed at economic growth, improving the quality of life of residents and creating new opportunities for everyone who lives and works here.

One of the key areas is economic development and investment attraction. The community strives to become an attractive place for entrepreneurs and businesses by creating conditions for opening new production facilities, supporting the agricultural sector and developing local entrepreneurship. Given the agricultural potential of the region, significant attention is paid to modernising agriculture, introducing modern technologies and supporting farms.

Along with economic development, an important task is to improve the quality of life of residents. Infrastructure development, road repairs, modernisation of utilities, and landscaping all contribute to creating a comfortable living environment. A special emphasis is placed on educational and medical services: the community invests in schools, kindergartens, hospitals and sports grounds, as the development of human capital is an important element of long-term success.

The community also supports initiatives that promote youth engagement, culture and sports. Youth events, festivals and sports competitions are held regularly, which not only strengthen ties between residents but also create conditions for active leisure.

This strategy is not just a set of plans, but a real tool for change that will help the community develop in a sustainable and dynamic way. It allows us not only to preserve traditions but also to move forward with confidence, creating a modern, comfortable and competitive community where every resident feels part of a large community.

Sources

• Website of the Voznesenske Territorial Community  Voznesenske Community – welcome to the official website
• Facebook page of the community (5) Voznesenske Community | Facebook
• (5) Facebook
• How a social pedagogue appeared in Bohuslavka, Cherkasy Oblast, thanks to a film club
• VOZNESENSKE IS 300 YEARS OLD – Research Institute of Peasantry and Agrarian History
• Bohuslavets Educational Complex ‘Secondary School of I-III Grade – Kindergarten’ named after M.O. Maksymovych: MUSEUM