The influence of suburbanization processes in the metropolitan area of Vilnius on the state and condition of the Polish national minority

Abstract

The paper shows the historical background of the formation of the Polish national minority in the metropolitan region of Vilnius and the changes that are taking place today in this community. Political, social and demographic changes related to the independence of Lithuania and the freedom of migration have caused in the last two decades very significant changes in the ethnic landscape of the metropolitan area of Vilnius, which will have a significant impact on the state of the Polish national minority in Lithuania in the future. These changes consist mainly of the loss of the status of the largest community in some municipalities of Vilnius region and the threat of this process in subsequent municipalities. The main factors leading to this state are the disproportions in wealth between Poles and Lithuanians, a strong stream of migration from Vilnius to the suburbs, and from rural areas abroad.

Author Biography

Lech Haydukiewicz, Akademia Ignatianum w Krakowie

Dr, geograf specjalizujący się w zagadnieniach demograficznych i społecznych ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem procesów i czynników przemian etnicznych. W latach 2006-2010 członek Krajowej Rady Radiofonii i Telewizji.

Published
2018-10-20
How to Cite
[1]
Haydukiewicz, L. 2018. The influence of suburbanization processes in the metropolitan area of Vilnius on the state and condition of the Polish national minority. Perspectives on Culture. 23, 4 (Oct. 2018), 133-160.