Bolhrad

Summary

Bolhrad (Ukrainian: Болград, romanizedBolhrad, pronounced [boɫˈɦrɑd]; Bulgarian: Болград, romanizedBolgrad; Romanian: Bolgrad, Gagauz: Bolgrad) is a small city in Odesa Oblast (province) of southwestern Ukraine, in the historical region of Budjak. It is the administrative center of Bolhrad Raion (district) and hosts the administration of Bolhrad urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.[1] Population: 14,818 (2022 estimate).[2]

Bolhrad
Болград
Transfiguration Cathedral
Transfiguration Cathedral
Flag of Bolhrad
Coat of arms of Bolhrad
Bolhrad is located in Ukraine
Bolhrad
Bolhrad
Bolhrad is located in Odesa Oblast
Bolhrad
Bolhrad
Coordinates: 45°40′2″N 28°36′46″E / 45.66722°N 28.61278°E / 45.66722; 28.61278
Country Ukraine
OblastOdesa Oblast
RaionBolhrad Raion
HromadaBolhrad urban hromada
Founded1821
Area
 • Total94 km2 (36 sq mi)
Elevation
75 m (246 ft)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total14,818
 • Density160/km2 (410/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postcode district(s)
68700—706
Area code+380-4846
History edit
Historical affiliations

  Russian Empire (Bessarabia) 1821–1856
  Principality of Moldavia 1856–1859
  Romania 1859–1878
  Russian Empire (Bessarabia) 1878–1917
  Moldavian Democratic Republic 1917–1918
  Kingdom of Romania 1918–1940
  Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR) 1940–1941
  Kingdom of Romania 1941–1944
  Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR) 1944–1991
  Ukraine 1991–present

Bolhrad was founded in 1821 by Bulgarian settlers in Bessarabia, under the direction of General Ivan Inzov who is "revered" by Bolhrad residents as the "Founder of Our City."[3] Bolhrad became part of Moldavia from 1856 to 1859, Romania from 1859 to 1878, 1918 to 1940, and 1941 to 1944, before being incorporated into the USSR (in the territory of the Ukrainian SSR), and later independent Ukraine. In 1921, there was a terrorist attack on a palace in the city.[4]

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
189712,300—    
193014,280+16.1%
194110,713−25.0%
2001 17,353+62.0%
2011 (est.) 15,479−10.8%
Source: [5]

The surrounding Bolhradsky district is predominantly populated by ethnic Bulgarians (a majority of 61%). Bolhrad itself is inhabited by a large number of Bessarabian Bulgarians and is considered by locals to be the unofficial capital of the Bessarabian historic district of Budjak.

In 1897, the ethnic make-up, by mother tongue, was 68.9% Bulgarian, 11.3% Russian, 9.7% Jewish, 5.0% Moldavian/Romanian, 2.5% Ukrainian, 1.0% Turkish, and 0.8% Polish.[5]

As of the 2001 Ukrainian census, Bulgarians still constitute the largest ethnic group in the city, accounting for almost half of the population. The second largest group are Ukrainians, closely followed by Russians. The towns also has a significant Moldovan and Gagauz population.[6]

Ethnic groups in Bolhrad
percent
Bulgarians
45.50%
Ukrainians
22.58%
Russians
22.51%
Gagauz
3.34%
Moldovans
2.48%
Belarusians
0.72%
Armenians
0.50%
Poles
0.10%
Jews
0.07%
Georgians
0.06%

Economy edit

As of 1920, Bolhrad has had a coal industry.[7]

Education edit

 
Bolhrad High School

The Georgi Sava Rakovski Bolhrad High School founded in 1858 is the oldest high school of the Bulgarian National Revival.[8][9]

Notable people edit

Natives edit

Residents edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Болградская городская громада" (in Russian). Портал об'єднаних громад України.
  2. ^ Чисельність наявного населення України на 1 січня 2022 [Number of Present Population of Ukraine, as of January 1, 2022] (PDF) (in Ukrainian and English). Kyiv: State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2022.
  3. ^ Куемжи, Мария, Болградский Историко-Этнографический Музей (Bolhrad, Odes'ka Oblast, Ukraine; Фонд им. И.Н. Инзова, 2007)
  4. ^ "Bomb in Bolgrad Palace Kills 100 Guards, Report". Chicago Tribune. 14 December 1921. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  5. ^ a b Первая Всеобщая перепись населения Российской империи, 1897 г. (in Russian). Vol. III. 1905. pp. 70–73.
  6. ^ https://datatowel.in.ua/pop-composition/ethnic-cities
  7. ^ Kaba, John (1919). Politico-economic Review of Basarabia. United States: American Relief Administration. p. 27.
  8. ^ Манолова, Надя; Красимира Табакова (2008). "150 години Болградска гимназия" (in Bulgarian). Държавна агенция за българите в чужбина. Archived from the original on April 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  9. ^ "Болградска гимназия „Свети свети Кирил и Методий"". Българска енциклопедия А-Я (in Bulgarian). БАН, Труд, Сирма. 2002. ISBN 954-8104-08-3. OCLC 163361648.

External links edit

  • More about Bolhrad on the web-site of Bolhrad gymnasium