THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE BIALOWIEZA FOREST (PUSZCZA BIALOWIESKA)

Malgorzata Buszko,
Manager of DANCEE-Project
"Bialowieza Primeval Forest"

Lech Nowacki,
Agency of Arts,
Bialowieza,
Poland

AN ATTEMPT AT DESCRIBING AND EVALUATING THE CULTURAL (MAN-MADE) LANDSCAPE OF THE BIALOWIEZA FOREST

The landscape of the Bialowieza Primeval Forest is the result of merging influences from eastern and western cultures. Historically it has belonged to princes of Lithuania, king of Poland, knyazes and tsar of Russia, all of whom have determined its current appearance. Polish, Belarussian, and Ukrainian nationalities, and Catholic and Orthodox churches, all coexist. This results in original and unique traits when compared to the rest of Poland and to Europe.

Former Grodno governor's povilion, now in use as educational centre for the Bialowieza National Park
Figure 30. Former Grodno governor's
povilion, now in use as
educational centre for the
Bialowieza National Park (CO)
It may seem a bold statement, but this unique culture should be protected just as much as the unique nature of the region. It should be seen as an exquisite source of inspiration for the European Union, being an example of the coexistence of people from different origins with nature. Local authorities need to understand the promotional and marketing potential of this region's originality and use it to develop tourism.

Old wooden church
Figure 31. Old wooden
Orthodox church
at Trzescianka (PB)

Analysing how it is currently being preserved one can say that, although it is not in bad condition, some degradation is observable:

THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AS A BASIS FOR ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN BIALOWIEZA FOREST

Obelisk in the Palace Park commemorating a royal hunting party in 1752
Figure 32. Obelisk in the
Palace Park commemorating
a royal hunting party
in 1752 (CO)
As examples from Europe prove, well-preserved cultural landscape forms a basis for tourism development. A tourist wants to see something that is original, attractive, and "different". So, in planning a development, one should seek to preserve the original feeling of the place. It is worth commenting that this point of view corresponds with the principle of balanced development in the Bialowieza Forest. In protecting the history of the place, we can create new employment, which does not interfere with nature conservation. Tourist penetration of the complete forest will be less intense if the tourists are given some specific objects to visit. It is suggested that each locality in the region could offer uniquely different tourist specialities.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PROTECTING AND SHAPING THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

Boy with antler of Red Deer
Figure 33. Boy with antler
of Red Deer (AB)

1. The creation of a database assembling information about the vanishing trades and ancient architecture.
2. Ethnographical education for local people.
3. The renovation of selected buildings and objects.
4. The creation of cycle paths through selected areas and past important objects.
5. Touristic exploitation of the narrow-gauge railroad in the forest that was formerly used for wood transportation.
6. Folders promoting local cultural values.
7. The preparation of the old tsar route Bielsk-Pruzhany (Poland - Belarus) for touring cyclists.
8. Agrotourism.
9. Educational-ecological paths.
10. Publications promoting the local culture.