Dubrowna

Dubrowna or Dubrovno (Belarusian: Дуброўна, romanized: Dubroŭna; Russian: Дубровно; Polish: Dąbrowna) is a town in Vitebsk Region, northern Belarus. It is located on the Dnieper River and serves as the administrative centre of Dubrowna District.^[1] As of 2025, it has a population of 6,945.^[1]

Dubrowna Дуброўна (Belarusian) Дубровно (Russian)
Town
Flag Coat of arms
Dubrowna
Coordinates: 54°34′N 30°41′E
Country	Belarus
Region	Vitebsk Region
District	Dubrowna District
Elevation	170 m (560 ft)
Population  (2025)[1]
• Total	6,945
Time zone	UTC+3 (MSK)
Area code	+375 2137

Etymology

The toponym originates from a Proto-Slavic term for an oak forest, which may explain the inclusion of oak leaves and acorns in the town's coat of arms.

History

In the 19th century Dubrowna was a centre for weaving.^[2] The town had a significant Jewish community that in 1898 formed more than half of its population.^[2]

During World War II Dubrovno was heavily affected. It was occupied by German forces July 17–20, 1941, and the town's Jews were killed.^[3] It was the scene of considerable partisan activity. From October 1943 to June 1944 it was at or near the front line, and was not finally reoccupied by Soviet forces until June 26, 1944.

Dubrowna hosts an annual folk song and dance festival, "Dnepr voices in Dubrovno".^[4]

Notable people

• Harry Batshaw (1902–1984), jurist
• Israel Dov Frumkin (1850–1914), journalist
• Charles Jaffé (c.1879 - 1941), chess master
• Brothers Yakov Polyakov, Samuel Polyakov (1837–1888) and Lazar Polyakov (1843–1914), businessmen
• Kazimierz Siemienowicz (c.1600 - c.1651), military engineer and rocket pioneer
• Anna Tumarkin (1875–1951), professor of philosophy
• Menachem Ussishkin (1863–1941), Zionist
• Zvi Zeitlin (1922–2012), violinist