LTMonografijoje nagrinėjant atskiras emigracijos iš Lietuvos bangas (XIX a. pabaigos - XX a. pradžios ekonominė emigracija, vadinamieji grynoriai, politiniai pabėgėliai po Antrojo pasaulinio karo - dipukai ir dabartinė emigracija), bandoma atskleisti lietuvių tapatybės kaitą emigracijoje, tautinio tapatumo išlaikymo būdus bei problemas svetimame krašte. [Anotacija knygoje]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Lietuviai; Tautinis tapatumas; Tremtis; Emigracija; Išeiviai; Lithuanians; National Identity; Exile; Emigration; Emigrants.
ENThis book is the result of project “Lithuanians in the World: Preserving National While Living Abroad” (implemented in 2010-2012) which was maintained by Research Council of Lithuania. The research aimed to distinguish the alternation of Lithuanian identity abroad, means of preserving identity and problems in a foreign land by analyzing different waves of emigration from Lithuania. This relevant situation was viewed from various positions. An interdisciplinary team was brought together: historians, sociologists, and literary critics tried to tackle the problem of national identity while living abroad by using their sources and methods. The book consists of three sections. The first one analyses different waves of emigration from Lithuania (economic emigration of late XIX century - the beginning of XX century, and political fugitives after the Second World War), their emigrational experiences and identity models. A great deal of attention is paid to the research of younger generation identity, the expression of identity among third-fourth generation Lithuanians in South America. The specifics of identity are analyzed by comparing it to young people of Lithuanian origin that lived in North America. The second section allows viewing the problematic of identity through literature that was created in exile. The emergence of texts about emigrational experiences and feelings in a foreign land ambiguously emphasizes the need of ethnical origin, belonging to one place and the concept of identity in a multicultural world. The main focus is put on the expression of national identity in modem Lithuanian literature (written by Lithuanian authors both in Lithuania and abroad), alteration and differences of identity by comparing it with earlier literature written in exile.The third section analyses current migration of Lithuanians, and senses of forming identity in this process, which intertwines with the concept of home (homeland). By using the means of qualitative sociological research dedicated to the concept of identity of current Lithuanian migration, the main research focus was put on the migration qualified labor force. This part of the book presents the results of research “Migration of Qualified Labor Force and Strategies of Preserving National Identity”. The book analyses different waves of emigration from Lithuania, alteration of Lithuanian identity while living abroad, mechanisms of forming an identity, the means of preserving national identity, and problems in a foreign land.Emigration was always influenced by two cultural traditions - mother land and immigration land. The reflection of influence made by alien environment - nationality in the diaspora fixates as a significant part of a person’s identity. Cultural elements of ethnicity, such as language, religion, traditions, usually regarded as the basis of an ethnical group often become the main elements of identity and solidarity. Every wave of emigration, despite different reasons and circumstances, has to deal with the same problems - adjusting in a foreign land, problems of integration, assimilation, preserving national identity. “Emigration”, “exile”, “immigration” to a Lithuanian in a foreign land often become more than a simple description of situation. These are elements of self-identity. The intensification of national consciousness has proceeded near a contrary process - integration in a foreign country. Sooner or later an “identity of an emigrant” becomes an “identity of an immigrant”, and two identities are acquired (national and the place of living). Younger generations of emigrants, bom in foreign countries, have an altered notion of identity which is influenced by the place of living. Identity with inherited roots of origin become an optional, personal matter of interpretation. [From the publication]