Mniejszość litewska w Polsce. Studium przypadku gminy Puńsk

ENThe paper attempts to discuss the specifi city of one of the few rural communities in Poland, completely dominated by non-Polish nationality population. The author tries to answer the question how Lithuanians decide about Puńsk distinctness which stands out from the majority of Podlasie villages, not only in terms of nationality, but also considering social, cultural, economic and political aspects. Lithuanian minority, which is indigenous and has lived in Puńsk for centuries, through territorial concentration, very intense cultural and social activity, thriftiness, strong internal integration, taking care of the education, supporting of the Lithuanian state, using the privileges of the Polish law, has established in Puńsk community some kind of “little Lithuania” within Poland. Lithuanians living in Puńsk municipality, well aware that due to the very small size and lack of religious distinctness, the most important factor, to avoid assimilation and maintain national identity, is to preserve their own language and culture. Therefore, the main manifestation of the national activities and base of maintenance of Lithuanian identity is the development of educational and cultural activities. It is certainly easier because of the territorial aggregation of Lithuanian minority, but impossible to achieve without a strong sense of national identity and understanding of the role of education for children in maintaining national identity. Considerable importance has also the rural character of Puńsk. Dwelling of Lithuanians in “ethnic villages”, characteristic for the rural population conservatism and preservation of traditions, certainly favors the preservation of Lithuanian nature of Puńsk. However, as shown by the examples of other national minorities concentrated in rural areas (including Belarusians and Slovaks), rural character of a community does not always ensure the maintenance of their national identity. [From the publication]

• Politikos mokslai / Political sciences
• Etnologija / Ethnology
• Sociologija / Sociology