The history of Ełk:
1398 -1406 - the Teutonic Knight's castle was built;
1425 - Ełk was founded;
1513 - Ełk received its own seal with a sign of a jumping deer,
which is surrounded by trees;
1560 - Ełk was allowed to set up weekly markets;
1669 - the town rights were confirmed by an important
document;
1720 - the first school was established in Ełk;
1818 - Ełk became a capital of an administrative unit;
1842 - the first local monthly newspaper was published;
1876 - Ełk are given the telegraph station;
1868 - the railway from Ełk to Królewiec (Konigaberg) was established;
1898 - the first telephone appeared in Ełk;
1920 - the plebiscite took place in Mazury and Ełk remained the German
territory;
1945 - Ełk was captured by the Red Army and on 6 April was given back to
Poland;
1992 - the Ełk Diocese was set up;
1999 - Ełk was visited by Pope John Paul II (there were over 300 000 pilgrims - the biggest number of people gathered in the seam time in Ełk).
A brief history
The present area of Ełk belonged to the small house of Jaćwing since the Middle Ages. They built a big fort on the island on Ełk Lake. Then the Teutonic Knights built a castle on the same place. It was strategic location, which protected the inhabitants and their neighbours as well, but then it was ruined during the Battle of Grunwald.
The first who mentioned the name of Łęk was Jan Długosz - a famous chronicler. The village was named after the river by which it was located. The modern name - Ełk comes from the previous name of the village - Łęk, which was changed into the name of Ełk.
The Ełk founder was Bartosz Bratomil. Ełk was located very favourably and thanks to the fact it developed very rapidly and it was given the civic rights by Master Paul von Russdorf. The exact date of this event isn't known. It took place between 1435 and 1445. Often the year of 1425 is considered as the year of establishing of Ełk. When the Thirteen-Year War was over, the area was colonised. In 1449 there were over 600 inhabitants in Ełk. The first Catholics parish was set up in 1469.
There was the huge development of this town in 16th century. In 1536 Jan Małecki arrived in Ełk. Jan was a famous printer and wrote some books in Polish. In 1599 the only one school in Ełk turned to be a ducal one. Between 1547 and 1551 St. Catherine's church was being rebuilt. Then the first town hospital was set up. Ełk was still expanding on the basis of Duke Albrecht's charter dated back to 1560, which allowed Ełk to organise the weekly markets.
Then there were some misfortunes in Ełk: in 1625 Ełk was troubled by some plagues, in 1651 took place the great fire and in 1655 it was burnt down by the Tartars. Then the period of stagnation began.
Two important events took place at the beginning of the 18th century, when the first town school was established and first pharmacy was set up.
Then the first teachers college was established, which was directed by the Ełk presbyter named Tymoteusz Gizewiusz. He was a famous scholar of Polish.
The beginning of the 19th century wasn't also auspicious for Ełk. All historical monuments of architecture were destroyed by the fire. Many monuments in modern Ełk date back to the 19th century.
In 1868 the railway between Ełk and Królewiec was built. During the World War I the town was completely destroyed. Ełk was the frontline. Then Ełk was seized by the Russians. The town centre was totally ruined by bombs.
What about going to Ełk?
Ełk isn't a big city. It is a great place for these people who are keen on walking. When you leave the town, you will find yourself in a forest or by a lake. Ełk is located in the heart of Mazury, which is called Land Of Forests and Lakes.
There is also a lake called Ełk, by which the town is situated. This lake is connected with the river named also Ełk.
Land full of storks
The area of Ełk is also called Land of Stork. In this part of the country there are a lot of storks. It means that the region is very clean and free of pollution, because the storks live in extremely clean areas. It is the guarantee of cleanness.
Fauna and flora
The forest covers almost 30% of this region. The town is surrounded by pines, spruces, junipers and birches. The climate of Ełk is so healthy that it is better to spend week there than the whole month in sanatorium. In summer the water lily grows, which is quite unique. The previous name of Ełk - Łęk means the water lily. There are a lot of wild animals in the nearest forest such as roe-deers, hares, wilds, cowards, martens and lynx and wolves in winter.
How many lakes are near Ełk?
There a lot of lakes near Ełk. Also the area near Ełk is called Ełk Lake District, because there are so many lakes. Most of them are hidden in the deep forests. And some of them aren't even named. Partly because they are too small and there is such a big number of them.
There are a lot of attractions in the city centre, where you can rest. There are a lot of old and romantic parks full of winding avenues. There is also the murmurs fountain in the middle of the park. Along the park avenues there are lanterns, which make the place more charming and mysterious.
What Ełk inhabitants do during their free time?
Usually when they come back from work, they rest or go outside to spend some time in the city centre. There are some possibilities of spending their free time. The ones who love healthy lifestyle may go to the swimming pool. It is newly opened with the huge chute. You may lend kayak or buy a ship excursion. If you like going to the cinema, you may choose between two cinemas "Polonia" and "DKF-U".
There is also the variety of pubs such as "Hesta" or "Jopi" or disco "Lagoon". You can find there a lot of interesting people and the prices aren't very high.
Theatres
If you are keen on theatres, you can go to one of the two amateur theatres: "Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre" and "30 Minutes Theatre". The first one was established in June 1994. The professional actors who live in Ełk, such as Piotr Kowalewski, supported the idea. To the actors of the amateur theatre belong people of various ages and who take up different jobs. There is also a big team of secondary school students. The inhabitants enjoy every new play staged by them.
Until now they presented:
"Balladyna" by Juliusz Słowacki
"The Miser" by Moliere
"The Match" by Gogol
"Playing with the Devil" by Jan Drda
"A Christmas Carol" by Schiller and
"The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare.
Every year many cabarets are presented in Ełk. They come from different part of the country. This event is called "MazUrskie LaTo Kabaretowe" that is "Mulatka". Everyone roars with laughter at that time. This event you can't miss. There is also the gallery in Ełk, where a lot of exhibitions of pictures, photos, sculptures and hand-made works are presented.
Sometimes the concerts take place in Ełk.
If you visit Ełk, you can't miss the sightseeing of the monuments. The oldest monument in the city is the castle. The Teutonic Knights built this castle in the middle of the island on the Ełk Island. It was strategic location, which protected the inhabitants and their neighbours as well, but then it was ruined during the Battle of Grunwald. Until now only the foundation remains and the other parts were destroyed. The island is jointed with the mainland by the bridge. It is the magnificent scenic point.
The streets of Ełk
There are a lot of streets in Ełk, but the longest are: Wojska Polskiego, Armii Krajowej, Chopina, Małeckich, Piłsudskiego, 3 Maja... While walking down the streets, you probably notice that you are being observed! The walls of Art Nouveau are painted with different shapes such as bearded men, beautiful and mysterious women, smiling youths and happy children. There are also some forms of animal and some twisted creepers.
Although the buildings are much younger than the city itself, they were the silent witnesses of the past. There is also the monument of the children in Ełk, which has survived to guard the memory of past times. It also presents the optimistic view on future.
If we look more carefully at these interesting buildings, we will find some human forms and between the windows, the elegant balconies and the majestic roofs. If you are walking along these walls stop for a moment and admire the forms.
Religions in Ełk
Ełk is thought to be the city of religious tolerance. There are several churches in Ełk such as Eastern Orthodox Church, Protestant ones (The Baptists and The Methodists) and some Catholic churches. Two of them are the biggest Sacred Heart of Jesus Church built in 1850 and St. Wojciech Cathedral in 1853. In the past was also a synagogue in Ełk, but it was completely destroyed.
Narrow-gauged Railway
The Narrow-gauged Railway was established in 1917 and since 1992 it is recognized as the monument of technique. It connects Ełk and Turów. It lengths is 48 km. The passengers travel in retro trains and antique carriages. They also admire some monuments such as the antique engine-house and the old-fashioned rolling-stock. If you like sausages baked on watch-place, after trip there is the possibility of establishing such watch-places by the lake. If you are interested in taking photos, there will be a lot of possibilities.
Water Tower
To the most important monuments in Ełk belongs Water Tower. It is a kind of visiting-card of Ełk, because it is seen from every place. It was built on the hill in 1895. Nowadays in Water Tower Ełcka Minority National and Water Museum are located.
I hope that after reading all information you will visit Ełk. The inhabitants will be please.
Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre
Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre was set up in June 1994. Piotr Kowalewski is its founder and graduate of the State Theatrical College in Warsaw. He worked in such theatres as Teatr Polski and Teatr Dramatyczny. Then he came back to his town and created the permanent theatre.
In 1994 the candidates took part in intensive training to learn soothing about the basis of the acting. In December 1994 the first play was staged. In 1995 the Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre showed one of Goldoni's comedies. It was very enthusiastically received in the public. Then they played Thornton Wilder's play called "Our Town". The actors began to be experienced so they were ready to play in plays where higher acting skills were required. The next season began with "Zemsta" by Aleksander Fredro. At that time the theatre was named Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre.
Two factors: the great successes reached by Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre and the increasing number of public prove that the permanent dramatic group is needed in Ełk. The theatre started to cooperate with some professional actors. They prepared the next play "Four Comedies" by Antoni Czechow, which was directed by Adam Biedrzycki, the famous actor from Teatr Polski in Warsaw.
Since 1996 the Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre has also showed:
"Balladyna" by Juliusz Słowacki
"The Miser" by Moliere
"The Match" by Gogol
"Playing with the Devil" by Jan Drda
"A Christmas Carol" by Schiller and
"The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare.
Jan Majewski is a famous Polish movie director. He wrote the following opinion after the first performance of Moliere's play called "Miser":
"I was invited to the first-night performance of Moliere's "Miser" to the Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre in Ełk. I saw Piotr Kowalewski, who is also director of the play, in the leading role. I knew him to be a very talented actor, as he had been noticed when still studying at the Warsaw Theatrical College.
His colleagues from Teatr Dramatyczny, where he had worked for about two years, had a very high opinion of him. I also knew that he suddenly and unexpectedly decided to end his professional career, and to return to Ełk, his home town; once there, he soon realized that he could not function without the theatre; so he organized an amateur theatre, which he has been leading for two years now. They have presented three plays so far (Goldoni, Wilderm and Fredro). "The Miser" is their fourth play. Piotr Kowalewski was able to transfer his enthusiasm to a group of people of different professions and ages (teachers, clerks, students); he built up their skills and made actors out of them. Each new play was a huge step forward, but until now Kowalewski did not take any important roles and was satisfied to stay in the shadow of his student, patient bearing their occasional clumsiness, poor diction or simple interpretation. And now, when his teaching had borne fruit, he has decided to show his real skills. While having at his disposal very modest finances, he has created a dynamic play, perfectly directed, funny and aggressive, full of amateur charm, but at the same time surprisingly professional. What is most important, though, is that he himself presented such extraordinary acting abilities, such maturity and force of expression, and such sophisticated humour. I, who am afraid of going to Warsaw or Cracow theatres lest my best friends, those wonderful leading actors of ours, with whom I have stuck through thick and thin, notice from the stage that I am dozing; I, today, laughed like a child and had real tears in my eyes. Moliere amused me, but Piotr Kowalewski moved me. He moved me with his great modesty and great art. I do not have the habit o writing to newspapers, I do not think that my opinion actors that I have been the witness of the appearance of an outstanding actor. Please remember his name, it will be very popular one day. You can quote me on this."
This above is the opinion of Janusz Majewski.
Now Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre act in Ełk Cultural Centre. The group is supported by some local authorities as well as several private sponsors. During five years of the existence, it has gained a giant audience and is one of the most important theatrical centres in the Mazury area. Such famous people as Janusz Majewski and Leonardo Pietraszek have contributed to getting costumes and accessories from Teatr Współczesny and Teatr Ateneum in Warsaw. They also help in technical support and creating stenography. These plays will be staged soon:
"The Knaveries of Scapin" by Moliere - July 1999
"Zemsta" by Fredro - September 1999
"The Cross and the Dagger" - a musical on the basis of David Wilkerson will be played in January 2000.
The address of Józef Węgrzyn Amateur Theatre is: Stowarzyszenie Twórczości Teatralnej, 19-300 Ełk, ul. Wojska Polskiego 47, tel. 087-6104491, fax.087-6104492.
The economic potential of Ełk
Ełk is considered to have a big economic potential. It is believed that the city will be still developing well. There are a lot private businesses, which contribute to the town's development. To afford this a lot of energy, strength and the willingness are needed.
A lot of changes took place after the year of 1989, which was the first step to the deepest restructuring in trade. Since then many people have decided to establish their own businesses.
What is more, the local authorities are ready to cooperate and help the investors in achieving favourable conditions.
The fast developing economy and the potential labour force make Ełk an attractive place not only for domestic investors, but also for foreign ones.
Here are the advantages of Ełk:
* Its favourable location in the country
* There are a lot of companies
* The existing of traditional branches of industry. They are re-organized and are believed to perform well
* There are a lot of dynamic developing private businesses
* There are a lot of technical educated young people
* The labour force is ready to increase their qualifications.
