Zastavna Territorial Community

History

The administrative centre of the Zastavna Community is the city of Zastavna, which was a raion centre before the administrative reform. Today, Zastavna remains a key centre that plays a key role in coordinating community activities and providing important services to the population.

The roots of the city of Zastavna date back to ancient times. Archaeologists date its origin to the second millennium BC. Zastavna was first mentioned in written documents in 1589.

The village of Verbivtsi was first mentioned in 1448. Its founders were immigrants fleeing Turkish enslavement. The inhabitants were engaged in farming, cattle breeding and trade due to its favourable location on the road between Transnistria, Galicia and Chernivtsi. The village’s trading past is confirmed by a treasure trove of gold and silver coins.

The village of Malyi Kuchuriv is located 20 km from Chernivtsi, amidst the hilly landscape of the Khotyn Upland. Its first written mention dates back to 23 February 1448, and archaeological finds indicate that it was settled in the third millennium BC. The remains of settlements of Trypillian, Cherniakhiv, Old Russian and other cultures have been found along the Sovytsia River. The forest around the village is a source of natural resources, and the clay reserves are suitable for the production of bricks and ceramics.

Malyi Kuchuriv is known for its rich history and picturesque nature.

Economy and Welfare

Land is the greatest natural wealth and prospect for the development of the Zastavna Community. The community’s land resources include agricultural land that can be used for growing crops and developing agribusiness, and the availability of water fund land creates opportunities for fisheries, recreation and environmental projects.

Mineral reserves, including clay, sand and gravel-sand mixtures, offer prospects for the construction industry and other industries.

Developed transport infrastructure, including roads, railways and proximity to major corridors, facilitates economic growth and investment. The regional centre is 29 km away by road and 48 km by rail. The Chernivtsi International Airport is 35 km away, which opens up prospects for international transport. The city is 73 km from the border with Romania, 312 km from Poland, and 83 km from Moldova, which is important for cross-border cooperation.

Due to this location, the community has significant potential for the development of logistics services, manufacturing enterprises and the tourism industry, creating a solid basis for attracting investors and improving the living standards of residents.

The community’s economy is based on small business and agriculture.

There are 126 legal entities and 393 individual entrepreneurs operating in the community. The main activities of the business entities include agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, brick and tile production, retail trade, catering, and services.

The activities of agricultural enterprises play an important role in the economy of the Zastavna community, contributing to its sustainable development. Companies such as Zakhidnyi Buh, Vioil-Zerno, Mriia Farming Bukovyna and Valiavske not only supply the local market with agricultural products, but also create numerous jobs for the community’s residents. Their work contributes to the development of related industries such as processing, transport and logistics.

Particularly noteworthy is Granit, a powerful industrial enterprise specialising in the production of high-quality bricks and concrete. The company’s products are widely used in the construction of multi-storey residential buildings and cottages, which has earned it a reputation as a reliable partner in the construction industry.

The social infrastructure of the Zastavna Community includes educational, cultural, sports and medical facilities that meet the needs of residents and contribute to the development of the community.

The Zastavna Community has a lyceum, a general secondary education institution, a gymnasium and a pre-school, which are important centres for the education and upbringing of the younger generation. These educational institutions are not only centres of knowledge, but also a platform for the development of creativity, sports and patriotism. They regularly host thematic events such as educational competitions, sports competitions and national and patriotic events that help to raise active and conscious citizens.

The centre of vocational education in the community is the higher vocational school, where students acquire the specialities in demand. Future specialists here learn the professions of hairdresser, cook, carpenter, tractor driver, car mechanic and many others. The institution plays an important role in training qualified specialists for the region.

The Zastavna School of Arts provides a favourable environment for the development of young people’s talents. 

The Zastavna Children and Youth Sports School serves as a real centre of sport, where young people have the opportunity to choose their favourite sports, improve their physical fitness and develop their abilities.

The local handball club Zastavna has repeatedly won international tournaments, gaining victories and bringing joy to its fans.

The centre of cultural and social life is the Palace of Culture, which organises and conducts events for all age groups. Its structure includes: 18 creative teams and amateur associations, cultural centres in the villages of Verbivtsi and Malyi Kuchuriv, the MYR cinema and the Zastavna Public Library, as well as libraries in the villages of Verbivtsi and Malyi Kuchuriv.

There is a song and dance ensemble “Veselka”, theatres “Mandrivnyk” and “Svitliachok”, a dance studio “Prolisok”, groups of artistic words, pop singing, decorative and applied arts “Natkhnennia”, a health club for table tennis and a children’s association “ENGLISH CLUB”.

The Yevheniia Yaroshynska International Festival “Bukovyna Authentic” became a real gem of the community’s cultural life.

The festival is supported by Bukovyna Prosvita and brings together folklore groups from different parts of Ukraine and other countries. The event promotes the preservation of national traditions, popularises the cultural heritage of the community, and creates a space for creative exchange, international cooperation and tourism development in the region.

The community has a stadium, many sports grounds for various sports, football fields.

The Zastavna Community has 9 religious buildings representing different religious denominations.

Zastavna’s central square is the heart of the community. Numerous fountains that come to life on major holidays add a special charm to the square, creating an atmosphere of joy and celebration for residents and visitors.

The Community and the War

With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, more than three hundred residents of the Zastavna Community heroically stood up to defend Ukraine. Unfortunately, the war brought heavy losses: several dozen Heroes gave their lives for the freedom of their homeland, and there are wounded, missing and captured defenders.

The community has rallied around the support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other defence units. As part of a special support programme, funds were allocated to purchase the necessary materials, vehicles, office equipment, armour, drones, quadcopters, electronic warfare systems and other special equipment. 

The community pays special attention to helping internally displaced persons. Despite the reduction in their number to 205 people, three temporary accommodation centres for IDPs are operating. The MYR cinema has become a major centre for collecting and distributing humanitarian aid.

Cultural and educational institutions are actively conducting charity events, weaving camouflage nets, sewing overalls and bulletproof vests for the military, making trench candles and collecting aid.

Community members who are not on the frontline support the army by joining volunteer initiatives.

Community People

Vasyl Radysh has been the permanent head of the Zastavna Community since its establishment. Vasyl Radysh was first elected mayor in November 2015. Since then, he has been re-elected twice in 2018 and 2020. Before that, he was a successful businessman.

During his tenure, he has made significant efforts to improve the lives of community residents, paying particular attention to landscaping, road repairs and the development of social infrastructure.

Particular attention is paid to the reconstruction of educational institutions, which are renovated annually. Schools, lyceums and gymnasiums have become modern centres for the education and development of young people that meet high educational standards.

Among the famous figures whose name is closely associated with Zastavna, it is worth noting Mykola Ivasiuk, a world-renowned artist, a true genius of his time. His oeuvre of more than 500 masterpieces is a vivid example of high art of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Vasyl Turetskyi, a talented sculptor, painter, graphic designer and theatre artist, deserves special attention. Thanks to his efforts, a monument to Taras Shevchenko was erected in the centre of Zastavna, which has become a symbol of the city’s cultural identity and pride.

Development Strategy

The Zastavna Community is actively working on its Development Strategy and has already implemented a number of important projects. The Central Park has been renovated with new alleys, a playground and exercise equipment, and has become a favourite place for residents to relax.

The city stadium was transformed into a modern sports complex with a football field, running tracks and comfortable seats for spectators. The Diia ASC was opened to provide fast and convenient services.

Bus stops, the administrative building of the city council, a kindergarten, a sports school and a leisure centre were renovated. The roofs of the art school, two schools and a cinema were replaced. The community financed the reconstruction of shelters and the hospital car park, modernised schools and purchased equipment for teaching the Defence of Ukraine course. The community is confidently creating comfortable conditions for its residents.

Sources

• Website of Zastavna Community – zmr.gov.ua
• Official page of the City Council on Facebook facebook.com
• Collection of photos of the general department of the Zastavna City Council
• Mykola Chereshniuk “History of the Villages of Zastavna Region”