Narewka

Narewka is a rural municipality in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, within Hajnówka County, historically known as the Masiewo Commune until 1939. Its administrative seat is the town of Narewka. The municipality is characterized by a large area of 339.48 km², with 65% forested land and 25% agricultural land, which defines a significant element of the local economy and landscape. In 2009, the Belarusian language was introduced here as an auxiliary language, highlighting the region's multicultural character. Demographically, the municipality has been shrinking, from 4,097 inhabitants in 2004 to 3,609 in 2019, which may be due to migration or other social factors. The municipality includes numerous village administrations (sołectwa), such as Babia Góra, Eliaszuki, and Stare Masiewo, as well as settlements without this status, like Bernacki Most or Łuka. Narewka borders Belarus to the east, which influences its cultural and ethnic specificity. In terms of religion, Orthodoxy predominates, with about 3,000 faithful associated with three local parishes, while 715 residents are Roman Catholics. In 2021, Jan Mackiewicz, the village head of Stare Masiewo, who was murdered by the Bolsheviks, was commemorated, and his remains were exhumed by the Institute of National Remembrance. Besides its traditions and historical figures, the Narewka municipality offers a rich natural landscape that attracts tourists and nature enthusiasts. Another interesting aspect is the coexistence of various religious denominations, reflecting the local socio-cultural diversity.