Twinning with Vinnitsa
Transfiguration Cathedral in Vinnitsa Ukraine
Economy
It is the industrial, transport, agricultural, cultural and
educational centre of the region. The main industrial and
manufacturing activities of Vinnitsa are chemical production,
motors, radios and TV lamps. Vinnitsa is known as an
agricultural centre and benefits greatly from the fertile soil of
the region that is favourable for crops such as vegetables and
fruit trees. The main crop is sugar beet and there is a
highly developed sugar industry.
Geography
There are deposits of granite, limestone, clay and sand.
In several areas mineral spring water is to be found. The
river and lakes have an abundance of fish and the region of
Vinnitsa is covered with mixed forests.
Education
There are many different types of educational establishments
including the Medical University, the Agricultural Institute, the
Technical University, and schools. Some of the secondary
schools provide specialist training in butchery, bakery, dairy and
technical training. Nowadays there are several private
schools as well as state schools.
Culture
There are two theatres, museums, parks and several dance
ensembles and choirs.
History
Vinnitsa has suffered constant invasion throughout history. In
the middle of the 13th century hordes of Mongolian -Tatar invaders
captured much of the east Slavonic lands and introduced a feudal
system. Annexation of Ukraine to the Russian Empire in 1793
put an end to the devastation suffered from Turkish-Tartar attacks
and Polish enslavement. For almost the whole of the 19th
century Vinnitsa remained a remote provincial town, even after the
1861 reform, and the fact that development of capitalism was
progressing quite quickly. In 1871 the Kiev to Odessa railway
line was built which ran by Vinnitsa which helped the town to
develop. After the revolution and civil upheavals of 1917
conditions were harsh when the restoration of the national economy
began. During World War II, the Germans invaded , many
thousands were tortured, killed or transported
to Germany.
The Ukrainian parliament passed a declaration of
sovereignty in July 1990 and in August 1991 declared Ukraine
independent of the Soviet Union. Ukraine became a charter
member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in December
1991. With the proclamation of the sovereignty of the Ukraine
and its newly attained democratic status, Vinnitsa raised the
Ukrainian blue and yellow flag in its main city square.
Twinning Activities
Schoolchildren from Vinnitsa first visited Peterborough in 1999
and since then have visited the city many times. The children acted
as Ambassadors fopr their country, promoting their culture through
the performance of traditional song and dance dressed in national
costumes. They performed in many venues throughout the city
including schools, old people homes, the Peterborough Festival and
the Town Hall. There is no twinning support society involved
with this link. However, the link is supported by individuals in
the community and local councillors