Why is Tluste / Tovste special?
Tovste (formerly Tluste), Ukraine, has a well-documented
rich history from its days as a medieval town, with further
evidence of ancient settlement dating as far back as the 9th
century BC.
Characterised by inter-communal (Jewish, Ukrainian, Polish
) co-existence and development over hundreds of years, until
the mid-20th century.
Shaped by Polish influence for nearly five centuries, first
within the vast Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1772,
and latterly as part of Poland, between the First and Second
World Wars. [More under Polish
History]
Hotbed of passionate nationalist resistance and defender
of the ideal of establishing a Ukrainian nation, fuelled by
an underground publishing house. [More under Ukrainian
History]
Witness to occupation and repression under Russian and German
rule. Site of a Jewish ghetto during the Second World
War; and in 1942-43, scene of horrific atrocities perpetrated
against Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators. [More under
Jewish
History]
Setting of impressive architecture, historical
buildings and monuments,
many still visible today. Home to a museum
displaying remarkable artefacts from prehistoric times; and
a regional centre of educational advancement.
Spiritual birthplace of the Hasidic religious movement, where
the Ba'al
Shem Tov — described as one of the three greatest
Jewish figures of the 18th century — spent many of his
formative years and revealed himself to be the “Master
of the Good Name” in 1734. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
(1772-1810) whose grave in Uman, Ukraine, is visited every
year by tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world,
was the great-grandson of Tluste's most notable resident.
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