The year 2025 has been declared by the city council as the year of Col. Nikolai Kawelin. On 1 July (Tuesday)
at 12:00 there will be an official opening of an exhibition dedicated to this colourful figure of Bialystok, interwar patron of sport, co-founder of the sports club ‘Jagiellonia’ – Mikołaj Kawelin.
The exhibition will be presented in the Avenue of the Blues from 1 to 31 July and then at the Chorten Arena from 4 August to 30 September.
In the photographs, we will see fragments of Kavelin’s life – from everyday life to special, celebratory moments, such as receiving the cup for the best sports club in Bialystok. Kavelin was a colonel in the Tsar’s army and the owner of a landed estate that included part of Dojlidy, as well as several villages near Bialystok. After the First World War he settled in Bialystok. He co-founded the Bialystok Sports Club BKS Jagiellonia and served as its second president (in the years 1932-1935, then as honorary president). Kawelin was passionately active for the benefit of Białystok and its community, engaging in numerous charitable initiatives and social. He financially supported both local athletes and the creation of sports facilities, including a stadium near Zwierzyniecki Park.
‘Franciszek Karpinski and Nikolai Kavelin – patrons of the year 2025.’ Realised from the budget of the City of Bialystok.
The private road to the palace in Mayowka.
Nikolai Kavelin surrounded by his employees. May Day 1930s.
Guests of Mr and Mrs Kawelin. Tennis courts May 1930s.
Guests of Mr and Mrs Kawelin. Tennis courts May 1930s.
Olga Kavelin in front of the manor house in Mayovka 1930s.
May Day late 1920s.
May Day late 1920s.
Nikolai Kavelin’s wife on the terrace in May with a dog brought from France as a gift.
Olga Kawelin with her favourite French bulldog . which became the prototype for the sculpture/ashtray by Piotr Sawicki in the Bialystok Planty.
The Kavelins with their guests, Mayovka Palace 1930s.
In front of the manor house in Mayowka 1930s.
Nikolai Kavelin with his wife Olga at the sawmill site in Maya late 1920s.
Nikolai Kavelin with his wife Olga at the sawmill site in Maya late 1920s.
Christmas at the chateau in Mayowka, 1933.
A performance of “The Lord with the Vials”. Nikolai Kawelin starred in this charity performance.
Gymnastics in Maypole 1930s.
Leonard Łuszczewski an outstanding rider from Białystok with the president of K.S. ‘ Jagielloni’. Stadium in Zwierzyniec, Białystok 7.05.1933r.
Mikolaj Kawelin among the riders of K.S. ‘ Jagiellonia’ who won the championship of Bialystok. Stadium in Zwierzyniec 22.10..1933
Mikolaj Kawelin among the athletes taking part in the national women’s athletics competition. Stadium in Zwierzyniec, Białystok 20.07.1933.
Mikołaj Kawelin, president of K.S. ‘ Jagiellonia’, surrounded by the club’s athletes – athletics section
President of K.S. ‘Jagiellonia’ Mikolaj Kawelin receives the cup for the best sports club of the city of Bialystok
President of K.S. ‘Jagiellonia’ Mikolaj Kawelin receives the cup for the best sports club of the city of Bialystok
Celebrations to mark 11 November. Kosciuszko Square , Bialystok 1933.