“Phoenix Polissya”: The History of the Village of Kolky

1997. Volyn Television.

The program “800 Years of the Town of Kolky: The Phoenix of Polissya” is dedicated to the history of one of the oldest settlements in the Volyn Polissya region. The program recounts the first historical mentions and the founding of Kolky, located on the right bank of the Styr River; the history of three fires from which the town was rebuilt; and its attainment of city status following the introduction of Magdeburg Law. It also discusses the princely town of Romaniv, which existed on the territory of modern-day Kolky, and its spiritual center—the church. The program also tells the story of Zoya Nelidova, who was known as the “beauty queen” of pre-war Poland and is buried in the cemetery in Kolky. The program is based on materials from the State Archives of the Volyn Region, publications by Volodymyr Rozhok, and excerpts from the feature film “Danylo Halytskyi.”

In the video: views of Kolok, nature, the town’s streets, the Styr River, a road, a church, a bonfire, a charred tree, bells, a blacksmith at work, and town residents. Archival footage, documents, and photographs are shown.

Commentary by: F. Rachek, chairman of the village council; B. Kalush, a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature and a poet; G. Lytikova, a librarian; and P. Vilishchuk, a resident of the village.

The program was produced by: author and cameraman Valentin Klimovich, director Vitaliy Gerasymlyuk, announcer Galina Startseva, sound engineer Leonid Matsyuk, video engineer Mykola Polivanov, and transportation support provided by Volodymyr Petruk and Ivan Lykhach.