Rēzekne
Rēzekne geographical location
Rēzekne – the city of seven hills – is the city of republic significance and administrative regional centre. It is located in the eastern part of Latvia, in the centre of ethnographical region Latgale, in northern descent of Latgale Highland, in the cross of two international transportation trunk roads Saint-Petersburg – Warsaw and Rīga – Moscow ; 242 km from the state capital, 685 km from Moscow 450 km from Saint-Petersburg and 860 km from Warsaw. Favourable geographical location and city’s role in industry, culture and education define both Rēzekne’s regional and state significance and development. Rezekne received city rights in 1773. Rēzekne has rich nature resources – river Rēzekne, Lake Kovši, green hills, parks and forests. The beautiful landscape creates recreation facilities for the city’s inhabitants and visitors. City’s layout structure reflects some stages of historical development and environment conditions. Valley of river Rēzekne and main railway line divide the city’s territory into parts.
Rēzekne historical development
The city of Rēzekne has grown on the ancient south-northern transit road Lithuania – Pskov. According the archaeologists’ investigation since IX-X century until the middle of the XIII century, Latgalian Castle was nearby. German crusaders destroyed this castle and built their own stone castle and town instead. The word “Rēzekne” for first time was mentioned in 1285.
During centuries the city was under Poland’s rule, it was part of Russian Empire. In spring, 1917 there was Latgale’s Latvian Congress in Rezekne that decided to separate Latgale from Vitebsk’s province and join it to other regions of Latvia. With the establishment of Latvia state Rēzekne became Latgale’s cultural and economical centre. There were Latvian, Russian, Polish and Jewish gymnasiums, a commercial school, teacher’s institute and folk university in the city. There were also Rēzekne Latvian Association, theatre of Latgale and museum of Latgale. More than 700 different buildings were built before 1935. During the Second World War 80% of Rēzekne was destroyed. Rēzekne was one of the three most destroyed cities in Latvia. Reconstruction of the city lasted until 1950. Later, an industrial zone over the railway line Riga – Moscow developed. During the post-war period Rēzekne became an industrial city. As there was a great immigration from the Soviet Union, the national structure changed by increasing Russian and decreasing local nationality population. With the third awakening, Rēzekne again became the centre of Latgalian cultural activities. The restored monument “unite for Latvia” was unveiled in 1992. In 1995, Rezekne became the centre of Catholic clergy.
Education:
The city has wide and developed educational net. There are compulsory educational establishments of all levels and other educational and training institutions; 6 secondary schools, Rēzekne gymnasium, a commercial school, Rēzekne Art College, Music College, Rēzekne vocational gymnasium, Rēzekne vocational secondary school no.14 and Rēzekne Higher Educational Institute.
Social Care:
The social care department of Rēzekne City Council provides social help such as material aid, social care and social rehabilitation.
Department administers:
Regional old people’s care centre, Children’s home, night-home for adults, day activity centre for elderly and a rehabilitation centre for handicapped kids.
Culture:
Cultural centre of the city administers the City Cultural house, public library, and Latgale Heritage museum and city recreation parks. Rēzekne is famous for the Latgale Music Television Festival that has happened every second year since 1991. There are 34 amateur performances groups with around 525 participants.
Sports:
Sporting activities are co-ordinated by municipal non-profit association – sports centre “Rēzekne”. There are 11 clubs with 558 participants in Rēzekne. About 534 students up to the age of 18 are training in the Children – youth sports School. Local sportsmen have taken part in world competitions and succeeded in Eastern wrestling and Greek-Roman wrestling. In European competitions they have succeeded in chess, draughts and floor ball, in republic – in basketball and football.
Health care:
There is primary and secondary health care in the city provided by 5 health care establishments. Around 158 doctors and 371 nurses work in the city. According to the national “Master” plan Rēzekne’s hospital should become the multiprofile medicine centre of emergency help during the period 2005 – 2007.
