Prienai

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Prienai
City

Coat of arms
Prienai
Location of Prienai
Coordinates: 54°38′0″N 23°56′30″E / 54.63333°N 23.94167°E / 54.63333; 23.94167Coordinates: 54°38′0″N 23°56′30″E / 54.63333°N 23.94167°E / 54.63333; 23.94167
Country  Lithuania
Ethnographic region Suvalkija
County Kaunas County
Municipality Prienai district municipality
Eldership Prienai city eldership
Capital of Prienai district municipality
Prienai city eldership
First mentioned 1502
Granted city rights 1609
Population (2005)
  Total 11,131
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)

Prienai ( pronunciation ) is a city in Lithuania situated on the Neman River, 39 km (24 mi) south of Kaunas. In 2001 the city had 11,353 inhabitants. The name of the city is a derivative from a surname Prienas.[1] Pociūnai Airport is associated with the city.


History

The first documented mention of Prienai is in 1502[2] when the Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander gave the land of Prienai to the noble Mykolas Glinskis. Magdeburg rights were granted to the city in 1609, beginning a period of growth that continued through the 17th and 18th century.

During World War II, when it was occupied by German troops, Prienai lost many of its inhabitants. People emigrated or were expelled, while the Nazis killed the Jews.


Famous people


Industry

Industry establishment began at the end of the 17th century, when paper manufactory was founded. 1868 beer brewery of high quality beer founded. It was active until 1941. AB „Sportinė aviacija“ for a long time was the only glider factory in Soviet Union. It was founded 1969. Here was created the first Lithuanian glassfibre glider BK-7 "Lietuva".


Sports

Prienai is home to BC Prienai (formerly BC Rūdupis), a basketball team that competes in the Lithuanian Basketball League.


International relations

Twin towns - Sister cities

Prienai is a member of the Douzelage, a unique town twinning association of 24 towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals.[3][4] Discussions regarding membership are also in hand with three further towns (Agros in Cyprus, Škofja Loka in Slovenia, and Tryavna in Bulgaria).

Spain Altea, Spain - 1991
Germany Bad Kötzting, Germany - 1991
Italy Bellagio, Italy - 1991
Republic of Ireland Bundoran, Ireland - 1991
France Granville, France - 1991
Denmark Holstebro, Denmark - 1991
Belgium Houffalize, Belgium - 1991
Netherlands Meerssen, the Netherlands - 1991
Luxembourg Niederanven, Luxembourg - 1991
Greece Preveza, Greece - 1991
Portugal Sesimbra, Portugal - 1991
United Kingdom Sherborne, United Kingdom - 1991
Finland Karkkila, Finland - 1997
Sweden Oxelösund, Sweden - 1998
Austria Judenburg, Austria - 1999
Poland Chojna, Poland - 2004
Hungary Kőszeg, Hungary - 2004
Latvia Sigulda, Latvia - 2004
Czech Republic Sušice, Czech Republic - 2004
Estonia Türi, Estonia - 2004
Slovakia Zvolen, Slovakia - 2007
Malta Marsaskala, Malta - 2009
Romania Siret, Romania - 2010


References

  1. A. Vanagas. Lietuvos miestų vardai. 1996, p.182
  2. "Prienai district municipality". Lithuanian Department of Statistics. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
  3. "Douzelage.org: Home". www.douzelage.org. Retrieved 2009-10-21. 
  4. "Douzelage.org: Member Towns". www.douzelage.org. Retrieved 2009-10-21. 
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