population, labour resources

The Kherson Territory has always been marked by a polyethnic population. The structure of the population does not differ in our days either. Nowadays over 100 nationalities live in the territory of the region. The basic ethnic group are Ukrainians. Their number constitutes more than 80 % from the total quantity of the region's population according to the last census of population in 2001.
Russians are the most numerous national minority. The Germans, Poles, Jews, Crimean Tartars, Turks-Meskhetians, Roma and representatives of other nationalities also live in the territory of the region. They have equal rights; take active part in the social, political and cultural life of the Kherson region.
National unions, existing in the Kherson region, the state authorities and local government authorities cooperate closely, favor strengthening of fellowship between them, thus supporting international peace and harmony. The situation in the region is stable; manifestations of national intolerance, exclusive attitude to citizens of any other nationality, exasperation of enmity on national grounds are not allowed.
For securing international concord and rights of national minorities the Council of the representatives of humane societies of national minorities in the regional state administration is acting. It consists of chairmen of national and cultural minorities. Members of the Council consider and decide questions, connected with satisfying law, language and education requirements of the national communities of the region.
For perfection of the mechanism of national minorities rights securing the regional interdepartmental coordination council for ethnic policy and population migration functions in the regional state administration. The aim of its activity is the intensifying coordination of actions of executive bodies, concerned with handling of national problems. All issues, referring to life and activity of the national minorities are under control at the local and state levels.
Almost 20 humane societies of national minorities carry out their activity in the region. The most active are the regional department of the all-Ukraine Society of Russian Culture «Rus’», the regional department of the Germans' society in Ukraine «Wiedergeburt », the regional Polish society «Polonia», the regional humane cultural and educational center of the Turks-Meskhetians «Akhaltsikhe», the Kherson Greeks' society, the Kherson municipal society for Jewish culture, the Kherson municipal center of German culture, the Kherson municipal society of Roma.
They take part in programs, dedicated to the state holidays, in culture and art festivals, competitions, concerts, organize and hold programs, dedicated to the national holidays, culture days, exhibitions of decorative-applied art and art of design. It favors outreach of their lifestyle and culture, enriching of Ukrainian culture.
The annual regional festival «Tavriys’ka Rodyna» («Tavria Family») has become well-known and popular. Collectives of artists of all national minorities of the region take part in it. The interethnic folklore children festival «Charivna Skrynka» («Magic Box») is getting famous, too. Representatives of national minorities at the places of their dense living are taught their national language as an educational subject. Some of the national languages are studied within extra-curricular courses. Germany, Sweden, Greece, Israel offer active support for their national societies. It advantages renewal of national spirituality and traditions, stability in the region.

Source: Kherson Region. Image and representative edition. ??????. ??? “??????????? “?????????????? ??????”. 2004. 224 ????.