About Lutsk

     Lutsk is a center of Volyn Region that is situated in the northwest of Ukraine. Styr River flows through the city. The population of Lutsk is above 208 thousand inhabitants. The city occupies an area of 42 sq km. The territory of Lutsk extends 10 km from west to east and 15 km from north to south. The minimal quantity of precipitation ranges from 309 mm to 764 mm a year. The climate of the city is temperately continental. Mean-statistical temperature in January is 17oC below zero and in July is 23oC above zero.

     Scholars found Paleolithic settlement on the Styr bank. Its age is 15 thousand years. Approximately four thousand years ago tribes of line-ribbon ceramic left their signs on the territory of the city. In the 7th-8th centuries there was East Slavonic settlement situated on the island between rivers Sryr and Glushets. On the highest hill at that time fortification was built. Later it has turned into the castle, which was called Upper. The first record of Lutsk was found in the Ipatiyev Chronicle under the year of 1085. The city was situated on the crossing of trade ways between North Baltic countries and Byzantium. This position was very favourable for enrichment of Lutsk. Great Prince of Volyn and Galych Roman Mstyslavovych established a powerful state unification. In 1227 his son Danylo Galytsky, who called himself in European style "king", had settled in Lutsk. In 1240 the city stood up to the Mongol-Tatar invaders, in 1257 the city resisted an incursion of Curemsa horde. But in 1259 the inhabitants had to destroy defense swells. During a hundred years local princes governed in Lutsk. But later in 1340 boyars poisoned Prince Yuriy-Boleslav II and invited Lithuanian Prince Lyubart, who was married to Volynian princess, to come to the throne. Owning to favourable situating in Lithuanian State Lutsk became practically its capital. Lutskovites gathered a regiment and post it into Grunvald battle. After victory over the Teutonic Order Lutsk became a famous political center. There in 1429 European Monarchs Meeting took place, where the point of Orthodox churches' joining was discussed.

     In 1432 Magdeburg Law was gifted to Lutsk, and its document obliged Lutskovites to protect the fortification and to arrange three fairs a year. The salt from the Black Sea firth and Galych Prycarpatia that later was transferred to the Lithuanian and the East Russian lands had been stored there. The population got richer and its accommodation became very attractive to invaders. In 1453 Tatars Zavolzki sacked the city, in 1459 Tatars Crimean sacked the city, and in 1500 Tatar Horde reduced the city to ashes. In 1540 the fair annihilated all local books. That is why the history of Lutsk is based on analysis of architecture constructions that were retained to the present-day. In 1985 the Government of Ukraine established a decree about proclamation of Old Town memorial complex as historical-cultural reserve of republic significance. After Lyublin Unia in 1569 Lutsk got under Polish rule.

     At that time west waterlogged territory developed effectively. The center of the city moved to the west. Vitovt's Palace, town council was built then. Armenian colony settled there. Near the Bratsky Mist Square the Hresto-Vozdvyzhenska Church, the main building of vasylian cloister, is buried in verdure. It symbolizes struggle of Orthodox Ukrainians against Catholic domination.

     In 1617 Vozdvyzhenske (or Chesnohrestske) community, one of the first in Ukraine, was established in Lutsk. Its members were Petro Mogyla, Isaakiy Boryskevych, Galshka Gulevychivna. In the community's premise the first printing-house in Lutsk was built.

     From Cossaks uprising it became known that in 1595 Severyn Nalyvayko usurped Lutsk. Events of the war under the leadership of Bogdan Khmielnytsky touched Volyn as on its lands the fights were conducted (Pylyavy, Berestechko), and in 1648 detachments of Fedir Lypka smashed rich bourgeois.

     After the third allotment of Poland, Lutsk got under Russian Empire's regime. In 1795 Lutsk became a district chief town of Volyn region ruled by governor, and later - of Volyn province. Near the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral two-storied house is situated. It is famous for its inhabitants: during the 90s of the 19th century the Kosachs lived there. Exactly that family gave two talented writers to Ukraine - Olena Pchilka and Lesya Ukrainka. The Kosachs settled there not far from the Castle in 1878. Conciliator Petro Kosach's wife Olena Pchilka (Olga P. Kosach) made a great collaboration in gathering and systematization of Volyn folklore.

     Park of culture and rest named after Lesya Ukrainka was established in the 50s of the 20th century. More than 100 hectares of waterlogged meadows were planted with 80 kinds of trees. On the central square of the city - Theatralna Square - in 1977 the monument to Lesya Ukrainka was established.

     Owning to Brusylovsky or Lutsky breach - when in 1916 forces of the Southwest front crushed German-Austrian troops - Lutsk came into the history of World War the First. Events of the Revolution of the 1917 in Lutsk were characterized by rapid changes of authority: in March power came to Council of the civil organizations, in September municipal duma was established, in November power came to military revolution committee, and after hetman establishment in February of 1918 Lutsk was occupied by German troops. In December of 1918 Directoriya proclaimed its authority, in January 22, 1919 Akt Zluky UNR and ZUNR (Act Of Ukrainian People Republic And West Ukrainian People Republic Reunion) was officially proclaimed, in May of 1919 Polish units marched into the city. Next year poles were forced out from the city by troops of the 1st Red Cavalry, Revolution Committee was organized. But in September 17, 1920 Lutsk was occupied by Polish troops again. According to Riga Peace Treaty they located in Volyn till 1939.

     According to Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in September of 1939 the Red Army units marched into Lutsk. Newborn after the victory in World War the Second, Soviet power was established. During the war the city was rather destroyed, hence in post-war period its infrastructure was completely renovated. Architects elaborated a general plan of Lutsk reconstruction. According to it new center of the city was formed, the main Lenin Street (now - Voli Avenue) with the Central Square and administrative buildings was built. The plan was intended for 25 years and provided for creation of new architectural ensembles and rest zones with green plantings, for improvement of municipal economy and accomplishment.

     The second general plan provided for building up seven residential districts round the ancient historical kernel, for creation three industry zones - North, East and South. In the beginning of the 70s projects of complex building of Zavokzalny and Gnidavsky housing districts were created by Volyn branch of Dipromist.

     The 70s of the 20th century show essential increase of industry and population. During ten years the population of 50 thousand increased to 200 thousand. Step by step Lutsk became green, clean, majestic regional center.

     At the turn of Ukrainian history in 1989-91 Lutsk was the first that raised the national flag of Ukraine at the city council. That was new counting out and direction of life development. The actual questions of the city development were accomplishment, harmonizing of streets' exterior, houses' fronts, squares and parks, public and trade-consumer institutions. The first steps of new generation of architects, builders, business-circles were made in Voli Avenue accomplishment, the main square accomplishment, and the monument to Taras Shevchenko establishment. Then Bogdan Khmielnytsky Street was reconstructed and the monument to city's patron Saint Mykolay was opened. Practically anew Danylo Galytsky Street in Old Town was constructed. There was a memorial sign to 2000 anniversary of Christmas opened. Reconstructed Grushevsky Square with the monument to the first President Myhaylo Grushevsky on it adorned the city. Besides, during the recent years there several trolleybus lines, cultural and sport objects appeared in the city. Today's Lutsk can hardly be imagined without its numerous squares and rest zones, where patterns of modern park sculpture are placed. These sculptures were created during International Stone Plastic Arts convention.

     During the recent years the city's accomplishment is conducted traditionally in three phases yearly. In all changes we try to keep historical originality combining it with modern elements of architecture and accomplishment. Success in this direction reflected on recognition in 2000 and 2001 of Lutsk as the city of the best accomplishment in Ukraine between the second category cities.

     The city has its airport but in the moment it does not function. The river Styr port is also closed down temporarily on the grounds of ecological problems.

     There are two custom crossings in Volyn Region: on Ukrainian-Polish and on Ukrainian-Byelorussia parts of the border. There is a custom post in Lutsk.

     Lutsk is connect with Kyiv, Lviv, Simferopol, Chernivtsi, Odessa, Berlin, Warsaw be railway. Local electro-transport lines extension is 97.5 km.

     Motorway extension in the region is 5540 km. The road of state significance passes through Lutsk.

     The modern system of pipeline transportation in Volyn provides for external and internal transport-economic links of the region. It consists of gas-main pipelines of international and state significance that transit gas abroad, and local pipelines and product pipelines of regional significance that conduct gas, water and oil supply of regional economic complex. Gas-main pipelines development and functioning in Volyn is put into effect owing to its transit location concerning to the main gas-production foreign regions from the one hand and to the main consumers from the other hand. The main gas-main pipeline that crosses the region: Ivatsevychi - Kovel - Dolyna (it has two branches and extends 162 km). Its branches are Turiysk - Rozhyshche - Rivne that extends 106 km in the region) and Ratne - Kamin-Kashyrsky that extends 30 km. Besides there is gas pipeline in the regional center, which is branch of Dubno pipeline. There is no oil-pipe line on the territory of Volyn Region.

     There are 21 local post offices in the city that serve all the districts of it. The value of those services during six months is 16.2 million grivnas.

     At the moment 7 automatic exchanges (approximately 50 thousand numbers) supply local telephone communication. The general quantity of telephone sets averages 51.5 thousand including 41 thousand flat telephone sets. The general quantity of radio net averages 53.2 thousand including 47.2 thousand flat radios. Telephone circuit extension averages 1488.8 km; radio net extension averages 96 km. Telephony net density is 64.62 telephones per 100 families.

     Simultaneously with "Ukrtelecom" Enterprise, which supplies trunk communications, there is Lutsk branch UTEL in the city that provides with trunk and international communications on the most modern level.

     Such firms as "Fotacom", "Vizor", "Infocom" function successfully in Lutsk and provide Internet.

     Lutsk has rather good progress in conditions of structural renovation of economics. Versatile industry sphere is kept as full as possible. It has stable tendency to expand manufacturing volume and to supply a half of gross output of the region.

     There are 52 basic enterprises and 120 small-skilled industry enterprises in the city that assure output of industry production. The number of workers in this branch amounts to 16.1 thousand. Average monthly salary mounts to 327 grivnas. The volume of industry production for the period of six months of 2002 runs up to 223.8 million grivnas, 89.7% of it account for manufacturing industry.

     The most important value in general volume of industry production belongs to foodstuffs. Food industry and manufacturing industry output approximately 50% of all production. Very significant branch of industry is mechanical engineering. Stable functioning of this branch supplied particularly foreign investments. The main priorities of chemical industry are based on assortment widening and enlargement of socially necessary goods. The project of the World Bank aimed to reduce expense restructuring of enterprises is realized in woodworking industry. Joint-stock company "Lutsky Meblevy Combinat" ("Lutsk Furniture Industrial Complex") joins this project. Production of modern calculating appliance of hot- and cold-water consumption, gas-dampers, and contact thermal log instruments are enlarged and improved in instrument-making industry. Enterprises of light industry that work mostly with given raw materials have rather deplorable financial state.

     In the structure of industry production volume according to forms of ownership the largest number belongs to enterprises of joint ownership - 83.6%, enterprises-utilities - 3.6%, private enterprises - 5.5%, national enterprises - 5.5%, international organizations and juridical person of foreign countries - 1.8%.

     In 2000 investments into fixed capital owing to all sources of financing averaged to 76.3 million grivnas. The main source of general volume of investments was enterprises and organizations - 65.4%; state budget - 9%; municipal budget - 5.2%; foreign investors, bank credits, population - 20.4%.

     76.9% of general export from Volyn belongs to Lutsk. This makes possible to draw foreign investment resources. The general sum of capital that was invested from abroad during 1993-2000 is more than US $ 54 million. In 2002 anticipated assimilating of 240 articles of production, establishment of 30 new technological processes into manufacturing. In accordance to this provided increasing of exporting production specific gravity to 24%. The main business partners of the region are Russian Federation (24.7%), Poland (13.2%), and Germany (12.1%).

     Local enterprises conduct its external-trade operations with partners from 51 countries of the world. In the export structure the main part belongs to casein (25.6%), cattle-breeding production (24.1%), mineral fuel and oil (37.5%), chemical industry production (20.7%), metal and metal production (13%), equipment (13%). The largest number of production was exported from Byelorussia (24%), Russia (20.1%), Poland (13.3%), and Lithuania (12.4%).

     80% of all engaged to Volyn investments are functioning in Lutsk. The city has established poly-vectorial economical cooperation with 25 countries of the world, such as Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, France, Russia, China, USA and others. In the nearest future Lutsk plans to develop cooperation with Croatia, Italy, Baltic countries.

     Boundary location is favourable to private enterprise development. According to business activity level Volyn in general and Lutsk particularly set on the 4th place in the state. There are high-developed bank system with partial and full foreign capital, trade net and consumer services spheres in Lutsk. During the recent years essential increasing of building industry of the city is remarkable. There are inner investments mostly in this branch. System of transport facility is good-tempered and well operating as well. The regional center is the territory where approximately a dozen of international and state projects and programs are realized. The local legislative initiative more than once obtained confirmation in the form of State Laws. This imposes a special responsibility on the city authority and determines its activity's priorities. Taking care about aesthetic perfection of Lutsk ensembles, there are made essential investments into accomplishment of its territory that includes reconstruction of streets, houses' fronts, putting in good order green plantations and planting of greenery in the city. One more direction of the city authority's activity is development of trade firms system.

     Geographical position of the city creates necessary conditions for active international cooperation with provinces of Poland and establishment of good neighboring links with other foreign countries. Lutsk has of many years experience in cooperation with neighboring towns in spheres of communication development, education and medicine, transport and telecommunication, culture and sport, ecology and trade. According to the city council's initiative there is created a data bank of entrepreneur activity's subjects in Lutsk that are interested in cooperation with foreign business partners. All efforts are aimed at creation of favourable climate in the city for business partnership development, for establishment of business links with foreign businessmen and for bringing in of investments from abroad.

     Lutsk has a reputation of reliable partner, provident host, and friendly neighbor. Lutskovites love their city and are always glad to see guests, whom they would welcome with sincere Ukrainian hospitality. Lutsk is the city of merited opposition to life's ordeals and of high esteem of humanity. We are driven by principles of economical effectiveness, Christian moral, professionalism, and national and local interests in our activity. We firmly believe in powerful community and we have all the grounds to create such a way of life in our town so that it would be hold up as an example.