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Telšiai is the capital of Samogitia, the centre of Telšiai County and District, the centre of Samogitian Catholicism. This is the town located on seven hills, from East and West surrounded by the legendary lake Mastis, famous for the number of the places to visit and unique sites: Samogitiam Museum Alka, St.Anthony of Padua with two-storied altar, the single in Lithuania cube-style S.Michael's Church as well as remaining Yeshivah buildings. Telšiai district lays in the north west of Lithuania in the Central Samogitian Highlands. The district attracts both for its nature and for the historic, architectural and cultural monuments. There are a lot of mounds, old cemeteries, mythological and sacral stones and natural sites. The town was called after the small rivulet Telšė, flowing into the lake Mastis. Legend tells that Telšiai was founded by a valiant guy Džiugas also called Telšys. In the annals Telšiai has been mentioned since 1450. Telšiai, Plungė, Rietavas and Mažeikiai municipalities make Telšiai County. The district territory covers 143,9 thous. ha, number of residents is 55,2 thous. (in Telšiai town about 30,2 thous.), including 25,9 thous. of men and 29,3 thous. of women. The district has developed a modern and rationally laid out communication and engineering infrastructure, assuring industrial and business development. Building, textile and food processing industries are well developed. In the rural areas competitive average-sized farms prevail, oriented towards ecological farming. Crafts are in a dynamic development. Cultural heritage and recreational resources are adapted for tourism activities. Industry is rapidly developing in Telšiai District. There is a powerful dairy company AB „Žemaitijos pienas", selling its production both in Telšiai town, throughout Lithuania and in the other Baltic states. This company manufactures highly qualified production. In the district there are 73 building companies, 4 of them are operating also abroad. Agriculture, commercial sector, transport and tourism, other services are gaining speed with every year in Telšiai district. In total there are 848 economic entities in Telšiai district, including 680 SMEs. One can find education establishments of every level in Telšiai district. There are 3 gymnasiums, 11 secondary schools, 14 basic schools, 1 primary school, 1 youth school, 2 schools - kindergartens, 1 adults secondary school, 4 high schools and 1 regional vocational training centre. There are also three supplementary education establishments: Telšiai Children Music School, Art Schol, Luokė Music and Art School. Telšiai district can be proud for its cultural centre, exhibition hall, theatre, public library, regional park, museums, mounds and other sites to visit. Lots of festivals and other events are arranged in the district annually, especially in summer: autocross contests, feast of songs, feast of the town, art and theatre festivals, blues night jazz festival, attracting musicians from all over the world, as well as many other events, liked and visited by the residents and guests. In Telšiai District Municipality there are represented and executive institutions. Represented is the Board of Municipality, consisting of 27 board members. According to the valid Law on Local Self-government, mayor is the head of the municipality, reporting to the Board and to the community. He is elected by the Board. Mayor, at least once a year, reports to the Board for his performance and to the electorate for performance of the municipality. Executive is administration of municipality. Director of administration of municipality is the head of administration of municipality, the head of establishment, subordinate to the board of municipality and reporting to the mayor, directly answering for implementation of the laws, governmental and municipal resolutions in the territory of his municipality in the matters within his competence Telšiai district municipality, having taken into consideration the suggestions of associated business structures, communities and other interested groups, prepared a strategic development plan. In the nearest decade the following priorities of social - economic development of Telšiai district will be stressed: favourable environment for industry and business development will be created, tourism sector will be expanded using the cultural heritage and natural recreational resources, safe social environment will be created, multi-level education systems will be formed. |
