Text

ABOUT BIRSTONAS
 
Geographical Situation (Rimgaile)
Birstonas is a small resort of rare beauty situated in the south of Lithuania, on the bank of the biggest river in Lithuanis – Nemunas. Small but lovely town is surrounded by spectacular pine forest and the windings of the Nemunas. My home town is spa, because it has got several springs of useful mineral water. We've got two sanatoria in my town where people can undergo rehabilitation after serious illnesses.
Weather (Mindaugas and Paulius)
We have four seasons; spring, summer, autumn, winter. Some days ago we had –20 now it's +1. Sometimes summers are very hot, sometimes quite rainy.
Environment (Domile and Adolis)
Health-resort is located in the south of Central Lithuania, on the right bank of the Birstonas Curve of the Nemunas River. Birstonas is popular because if its picturesque, invigorating climate and wonderful mineral water. It is surrounded by water. The river Nemunas, located on both sides of this quaint and picturesque town, offers boating and fishing opportunities. Three man-made lakes are located within the the city limits for your swimming pleasure. The natural mineral water, provided by several deep springs, is bottled locally under the names of Vytautas, Birute, and BMV. Nemunas Loops Regional Park was founded in 1992 amidst the pine forests found all around the loops of the Nemunas River. It is a place of valved ecosystems and is a cultivated preserve. There are many places for recreation; camping, hiking, bird watching, berry and mushroom picking, fishing, various sporting locations and orienteering. Within the park are 40 plants, 29 birds, and 5 mammals listed in the Lithuanian Red Book on endangered species. Most minor fish colonies are found in the river.
History (Teodora and Sandra)
Name ,,Birstonas'' was mentioned for a first time in history sources in 1382. In his early ears, Birstonas was a favored hunting area of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas and his guests from around Europe during the 1400's. Birstonas developed into a mineral water resort after mineral water was found in 1846. Since the independence of 1990, it has been free to develop beautiful surroundings, clean air, and abundant sources of water into one of Lithuania's most charming destinations. A lovely Neo-Gothic church built in 1909 towers above the town. Birstonas charm of late XIXc.-early XXc. resort villas was never spoiled by soviet style "architecture".
Social Life (Roberta)
According to the newest facts there are 3225 inhabitants in Birstonas. More and more money from the budget is devoted to the most important town life factors such as education, child and disabled welfare, pensions, culture, entertainment, as well as modernization of the resort every year. Recently, the bus station was totally reconstructed. The flower shop and the tearoom have been equipped. Now, there is an opportunity for taking active summer and winter sports because new tennis courts and a modern ski track were equipped, too. Birstonas will be a cozy and modern rival to the other Lithuanian resorts because the town authorities are planning a water park.
Education (Karolis M., Egidijus and Almantas)
There are seven educational institutions in Birstonas: two kindergartens, two primary schools, two secondary schools and school of arts. The main school is Birstonas secondary school. There are over 800 students and 40 teachers in our school. The other important school in Birstonas is art school. Children in this school are presented to the history of music and arts, learn to play difrent instruments, as well as model, draw, paint, or take up other kinds of creative activities.
Places of interest (Eda)
As Birstonas is a resort, we've got a lot of places of natural beauty such as Zverincius forest, the river Nemunas and a pine forest in the center of our town. Really, we've got a lot of greenery in our town. People coming to Birstonas visit our local museum, Vytautas Hill (dating back to ancient times), a monument, a catholic church. We've got some cafes, restaurants and some hotels in our town.
Cultural life (Egle)
Bistonas town Culture Centre organizes and arranges festivals opening and cosing the summer seasons, air ballon flights, concerts, commemortios contest, exhibitions, evening discos, movie demonstration, children theatre festivals and of courre international jazz festival every second year, sports dancing contest and folk art camps. The center also houses art and amateur art groups: a countryside orchestra, folklore ensemble, wood carving group, photography school, theatre school, women rifles and deportees choirs musical and dance groups. These groups actively participate in different town and national events.
The libraries arrange exhibitions, "Poetry spring", meetings with famous people. Visitors are served at the children, Youth and Adults departments. You can read books, newspapers, listen to music records and use a videotheque and internet.
Youth Culture (Milda)
There are quite a lot of activities for young peole.They can go to drama, design, art clubs. Also, they can go to music school and play all kind of music instruments. What is more, there are singing clubs and dancing clubs in our Culture Centre. If you are keen on sport you can play basketball, volleyball or football in teems or individually.On the weekends young people go to the discos there they meet their friends and dance together.One very important thing is that Birstonas town wants to set up a youth club in which young people could tell their opinions, discuss about life, friends and do something to improve Birstonas youth life.
Sports (Karolis P. and Vitalijus)
The inhabitants of Birstonas have a lot of possibilities to take part in various sport here. Walking races, basketball, football and rowing are especially popular. Besides, our people take up cycling, tennis, alpine skiing and cross- country skiing in winter.