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 Chelm
in Old Polish means mountain, and the name is very appropriate for this town situated near the country eastern border. There is a mountain
in the center of the town with an old Orthodox church on top. The town is situated among chalk hills and has some nice Orthodox and Catholic
churches. However, the most attractive things are hidden underground. Holding a torch one can follow a unique route trough dungeons dug in chalk
rocks. However, the voivod-ship is primarily a kingdom of half-primeval nature. Extensive marshes and peat bogs of the Poleis region is wreathed
in mist and legends.
Enthusiasts of quiet tourism and rest will find here marked trails leading through the Poleski National Park, Chelmski and Sobiborski Landscape
Park, and other regions of the Leczynsko - Wlodawskie Lake District. The biggest resort is Okunika on Biale Lake. The voivod-ship is also famous
for its annual beer festival "Chmielaki" organized during the harvest season near Krasnystaw.
The
location of the city on the old trade route from Warsaw through Lublin to Kowel and further to Kijów was a decisive factor, in its
development in the past. At present the proximity to future border of EC has become an additional advantage. Chełm - the city in Province of
Lublin, up to 1998 the capital of Province of Chełm. With the tradition of one thousand years is situated on Lublin Upland by the Uherka river,
which is the left tributary of the river Bug, on the towering mountain-side of cretaceous hillock.
The transformation of the political system that took place in 1990 changed the economic image of the town. There are approximately 5700 firms in
Chełm.
In the beginning of the privatisation process the areas of commerce and service were advancing most rapidly. In recent years an increase in
the number of new manufacturing and service companies can be observed.
The mineral industry dominates Chełm economy. Its growth was closely connected with the founding of cement works ‘Chełm’ in
1960.
After undergoing structural changes, it was transformed into a joint-venture stock company which still gives employment to the largest group of
workmen on the local market.
 Chełm
is also an important cultural centre. A lot of cultural institution are located in the Chełm area such as: Chełm Community Centre, Chełm
Public Library, Chełm Museum, Youth Community Centre, Musical Schools and many others cultural associations. In Chełm function also: Latin
American Dance Group “TAKT ZOMAR” (double Poland Champions in 1997 and 1998 and fourth place winner in the World Championships in
1996), Folk Dance Group of Chełm Land, Choir of Chełm Land “Hejnał”, Choir from Musical School in Chełm, Brass Band,
Children’s Group, “Promyczki”.
Chełm is a place where the lovers of accordion and sacral music, both from Poland and from abroad, organise their meetings.
There are also well-known artistic sceneries organised with the anticipation of professional and non-professional artists from all over Europe,
whose works enrich the collection of modern art belonging to the ’72 gallery for which it is appreciated and famous all over the world.
It is also a town with professional functioning sports clubs and sports associations. Young competitors practising biathlon, judo, karate
win medals in important contests. A leading discipline is wrestling, whose contestants covered Chełm with glory in the World and European
championships. Unrivalled leaders in the discipline are brothers Dariusz and Piotr Jabłońscy.
A wide range of cultural ventures is most noticeable during Chełm Days, which is an event that permanently enters the cultural calendar
of the city.
There
are numerous educational organizations located in the city, these are: 13 municipal kindergartens and 12 primary schools. In many of them
new innovative educational programmes were introduced in order to support the development of students’ talents and hobbies.
Many learners prise the city’s name, by winning prizes in various school competitions. There
is also a place for the growth of higher education. At present there are two public colleges situated in the city: a branch of the Medical
Academy from Lublin, with a nursing department , The Teachers Training College with English ,German and French sections and two private
colleges. A branch of Catholic University in Lublin (KUL), is also being organised at the moment. The proximity with Lublin is an important
factor which guarantees adequate teaching staff for the new schools.
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