Kalinkavichy
Encyclopedia
Kalinkavičy or Kalinkoviči, is a town in the Homiel Province
of south-eastern Belarus
. Kalinkavičy is located beside the Pripyat River
, opposite the town of Mazyr
, and is the site of one of country's most important railway junction
s. It has a population of 37,876 (2004 estimate).It has suffered radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl disaster
The earliest historical mention of the town of Kalinkavichy dates to 1560. The town grew to prominence at the end of the nineteenth century with the coming of the railways. Food processing (esp. pork products) is the largest industry. The extraction of peat (5.5 million tonnes of reserves) is also economically important.
Kalinkavichy is also known for the annual Avtyuki comedy festival
, held every June.
In 1998 the town was united with the surrounding rural area to form a single administrative unit, Kalinkavichy Raion
, covering 2756 km² (1,064.1 sq mi), with a total population of 71,500.
(1895–1970), a well-known Yiddish author who emigrated to New York City in 1913. His autobiography, "My Jewish Roots," describes his early childhood years in Kalinkavicy (Kalinkovich).
Homiel Voblast
Homiel Voblast or Gomel Oblast is a province of Belarus with its administrative center being Homyel.Important cities within the voblasts include: Gomel, Mazyr, Zhlobin, Svetlahorsk, Rechytsia, Kalinkavichy, Rahachow, Dobrush...
of south-eastern Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
. Kalinkavičy is located beside the Pripyat River
Pripyat River
The Pripyat River or Prypiat River is a river in Eastern Europe, approximately long. It flows east through Ukraine, Belarus, and Ukraine again, draining into the Dnieper....
, opposite the town of Mazyr
Mazyr
Mazyr, also Mozyr is a city in the Homiel Province of Belarus on the Pripyat River about 210 km east of Pinsk and 100 km northwest of Chernobyl and is located at approximately . The population is 111,770 . The total urban area including Kalinkavičy across the river has a population of...
, and is the site of one of country's most important railway junction
Junction (rail)
A junction, in the context of rail transport, is a place at which two or more rail routes converge or diverge.This implies a physical connection between the tracks of the two routes , 'points' and signalling.one or two tracks each meet at a junction, a fairly simple layout of tracks suffices to...
s. It has a population of 37,876 (2004 estimate).It has suffered radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl disaster
Chernobyl disaster
The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine , which was under the direct jurisdiction of the central authorities in Moscow...
History
Archaeological excavations have found traces of human settlement dating back to 26,000-24,000 years ago, the oldest yet discovered in Belarus.The earliest historical mention of the town of Kalinkavichy dates to 1560. The town grew to prominence at the end of the nineteenth century with the coming of the railways. Food processing (esp. pork products) is the largest industry. The extraction of peat (5.5 million tonnes of reserves) is also economically important.
Overview
The mean January temperature is 6.2 °C (43 °F); July 18.7 °C (66 °F). Precipitation totals 575 mm (22.64 in) per annum.Kalinkavichy is also known for the annual Avtyuki comedy festival
Comedy festival
A comedy festival is a celebration of comedy with many shows, venues, comedy performers and is held over a specific block of time...
, held every June.
In 1998 the town was united with the surrounding rural area to form a single administrative unit, Kalinkavichy Raion
Kalinkavichy Raion
Kalinkavichy Raion is an administrative subdivision, a raion of Homiel Voblast, in Belarus.In 1998, the rural area was united with the town of Kalinkavichy to form a single administrative unit covering 2,756 km², with a total population of 71,500....
, covering 2756 km² (1,064.1 sq mi), with a total population of 71,500.
Notable Figures born in Kalinkavichy
One of the most notable figures born in Kalinkavicy was Solomon SimonSolomon Simon
Solomon Simon was a Jewish author and educator. He published over thirty books, in Yiddish and English, notably his children's books The Wandering Beggar, The Wise Men of Helm, and More Wise Men of Helm. He was also a leading figure of the Sholem Aleichem Folks Institute, a Jewish cultural...
(1895–1970), a well-known Yiddish author who emigrated to New York City in 1913. His autobiography, "My Jewish Roots," describes his early childhood years in Kalinkavicy (Kalinkovich).