Masterclasses, field kitchen, an exhibition of artworks and coffee with Drohobych salt – this weekend, the Drohobych Saltworks, the oldest enterprise in Europe, hosted a powerful art event, Festyny at Zhupnyk.
The event had an important goal: to draw attention to the Drohobych Salt Plant and unite the community in a common vision to say a clear “no” to the privatisation of the enterprise. Until now, the saltworks has been owned by the state. So recently, the State Property Fund, despite the strategic importance of the saltworks, decided to put the company up for auction. Conscious community members are strongly opposed to this decision, as they consider the enterprise to be the salt heart of Drohobych and its soul. Since the city’s saltworks have been operating at the same location since the 13th century and are rightfully considered one of the oldest continuously operating industrial enterprises in the world and Ukraine.
To preserve the saltworks, the city has registered a petition with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which calls for the transfer of the Drohobych Saltworks to the community’s communal ownership. Signatures are being collected – every vote counts: https://petition.kmu.gov.ua/petitions/7339
On the day of the Festival, people talked about the saltworks, admired it and discovered its historical milestones. The programme of the event was more than eventful: on the territory of the saltworks, you could join numerous workshops, buy handmade products, artworks by young artists, as well as taste dishes seasoned with Drohobych salt and drink a cup of fragrant coffee with a salty flavour.
The event began with a tribute to the memory of the fallen defenders, followed by a greeting from Drohobych Mayor Taras Kuchma. According to him, the city council’s position on the saltworks issue remains unchanged: the company should be preserved and transferred to municipal ownership. After all, no one will care about its preservation and development more than the city community.
We were all united not just by the Festyny, but by an event designed to draw attention to the oldest operating enterprise in Europe and Ukraine, the heart and soul of our city – the salt plant. After all, it is in Drohobych that “all the salt” is made, and our city is known all over the world for its salt. Today, soldiers are standing at the forefront of the frontline and pushing the enemy out to preserve our territorial integrity, our culture, traditions, language, history and our authenticity. The authenticity of the city, our genetic code, is undoubtedly the saltworks. Therefore, we have to be conscious residents of the region who preserve our heritage, our history, our saltworks. I urge everyone to be indifferent, to be imbued with love for their native land and history and to preserve the most valuable things that make our city famous,” said Taras Kuchma, Mayor of Drohobych, .
Numerous tours of the plant and its mines were held throughout the festival. During these tours, everyone had the opportunity to learn how salt rivers are formed and get acquainted with the salt extraction technology that has been preserved here since great-grandfather’s time. The excursions were conducted by Olga Bunda, the company’s process engineer.
The event also featured the Drohobych Kram ethnic market. Everyone was also able to taste delicious field food seasoned with Drohobych salt.
The festival programme also included performances by local artistic groups. In particular, the Drohobych Municipal Spiritual Orchestra, the Drohobych Municipal Chamber Choir “Legend” and the groups of the Palace of Children and Youth Creativity – the ensemble of piper players and the dance ensemble “Prykarpatski vizerunky”. SOWA and VAHA were special guests of the event.
The funds raised during the event, which was attended by almost the entire city, will be donated to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the organisers of the event, the Department of Culture and Tourism Development of the DGC, said.
The hosts of the festivals were Andriy Yurkevych (Mr Zhupnyk) and Olga Deinega (Mrs Zhupnikova).
The Festyny at Zhupnyk’s was held under the patronage of Mayor Taras Kuchma and with the support of sponsors such as Lviv Regional Council member Serhiy Olenych, owner of the Romashka chain of stores Roman Mul and Drohobych City Council member Roman Beizyk. The event’s media partner is Hit-FM radio.
The participants of the Festivals, who treated, traded and organised interesting master classes, were: Rafineria restaurant, Drohobych Higher Vocational School No. 19, Ivan Gamal of the Watermelon cafe, Natalia Tarasovych (disposable tableware), Lev Hrytsak of the Rakovets Cossack settlement in the village of Drohobych.Volia Yakubova, Drohobych Voluntary Society for the Protection of Disabled Children “Nadiya”, participants of the craft fair “Drohobych Kram”, Drohobych Art School for Children, Danylo Hanylo – master of folk crafts, Ivan Sekh – director of the Drohobych Centre for Culture and Arts “Kamenyar”, Drohobych village of the National Scout Organization.