WELCOME IN OPOLE

Study Visit MODN Opole 2011Janusz Berdzik

• Area: 9411 km²• Inhabitants: about

1 mln• Towns: Opole,

Brzeg, Nysa, Kędzierzyn – Koźle, Kluczbork, Strzelce Opolskie

Opolskie Voivodeship and its neighbouring provinces used to constitute one entity – historical Silesian province. Opole province is the border territory with turbulent and rich history.

Cultural and historical landscapeo The western part of Upper Silesia (Silesia Superior)• Principalities: opolsko – raciborskie, opawskie,

karniowskie, cieszyńskie, bytomskie• Historical capital - Opoleo Meeting point of cultures: Polish, German, Czech

(Moravian), Silesian o Intensive colonization in the 13th centuryo Since the 14th century long-lasting process of

Germanization and Czechization of Silesian knighthood

The region was ruled by Piast dynasty, Czech kings, Austrian Habsburgs, Prussians and Germans which have been reflected in historical, multicultural heritage

The smallest voivodeship in the country prides itself on the rich cultural achievements exceeding other wealthier Polish regions.

SilesianUprisings• I SilesianUprising17 – 24.08 1919• II SilesianUprising19 – 24.08. 1920• III SilesianUprising2.05 – 05.07. 1921

Divisionof SilesiaPoland got:• 29% area• 46% population• 53 out of 67 mines• 22 out of 37 large

furnaces• 9 out of14 steel mills

The base of nonmaterial heritage is constituted by the strong bond with the traditons demonstrated by the local inhabitants who cultivate customs, dialect, local costumes and folk art.

Numerous historical and architectural objects and buildings, historical urban and rural layouts, park complexes, ‘small architecture’ elements and historical furnishing are the examples of material heritage of the region.

Population 1950:o > 50% local inhabitantso ~ 25% immigrants from eastern territories of

Polando ~ 23% immigrants from central Poland 2002:o 5,5% born abroado 10% of born abroad – in Germany and Franceo 81% with only Polish citizenshipo 15,6% with German citizenship (156,6 tys.) o 17,6% ‘Silesian nationality’ (176 tys.)

German minority

o 23 borough leaders and mayorso 16 districts – absolute majorityo rules in 29 towns and districts o 43% of all district councillorso 2 starosts

o in 3 districts: majority o regional council: 6 councillors, o deputy head of regional councilo language educationo radio, TV, newspapers

Opole province is one of the best developed regions as far as infrastructure is concerned - density of public roads network is 90.9 km per 100 square kms.

The most important for the south part of Poland motorway A-4 runs through Opole province. It is the part of transEuropean route from Berlin to Kiev.

Food industry has the biggest share in the whole industrial production of the region. The most important segments

are fruit and vegetable processing, dairy production and confectionery as well as bakery.

The next equally important industry is the chemical one. It is based on the production of basic chemicals and in a lesser degree on the production of domestic detergents.

The third element of regional industry is the production on the basis of nonmetallic resources. The most important are cement industry, concrete and plaster production and the production of glass and glass products.

OPOLE Note "Bavarian Geographer" dated

back to the year 845 mentions the tribe of Opolini on the territory of Silesia.

Around 990 Opole together with the whole Silesia was joined to Poland by Mieszko I.

Kazimierz Opolski was one of the two first princes who in the 12th century used the White Eagle as the symbol of Piast dynasty.

The main academic centre in the province is Opole with

• Opole University, • Opole Technical University, • Public Medical College, • Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania i

Administracji, • Wyższa Szkoła Bankowa we

Wrocławiu - Wydział Ekonomiczny• Wydział Zamiejscowy Wyższej

Szkoły im. B. Jańskiego, Nysa • Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła

Zawodowa Brzeg • Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno-

Ekonomiczna

Jan Kochanowski Theatre (Theatre Festival „Polish Classics");

Alojzy Smolka Puppet Theatre (National Festival of Puppet Theatres);

EKO STUDIO Theatre;

Józef Elsner Philharmonic Orchestra

Opole Amphitheatre Since June 1963 roku,

except 1982, National Festival of Polish Song has taken place here. There is also National Centre of Polish Song the amphitheatre.

Climatic and natural characteristics of the Opole province make it a great place for the development of tourism. Thanks to the lie of the land you can relax here both in summer and winter.

Dinopark – the unique in the world paleothological find of the oldest primitive ancestors of dinosaurs in Krasiejów is the fantastic chance for our region to become known on the international science arena.

Thank you for your attention