The identity of the borderlands inhabitants : Poles living in the Vilnius Region in a new dimension of politic

The article focuses on factors that had a significant impact on the shaping of the identity of Poles living in the Vilnius region over the past two decades. The newly attained independence of Lithuania has placed them in a radically new political environment and has undoubtedly changed their status and sense of national identity. The article comprises three main sections. The first of these is an analysis of data pertaining to the self-identification of the Vilnius region Poles, drawn from the general census and various sociological studies. The issue of the Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka) and its importance for the inhabitants of the Vilnius region is examined. The second section examines attachment to birthplace and habitual residence, with which is connected the aspect of strong regionalism and the crucial political matter of land reimbursement. The last section deals with political identity. It comprises a short history of polish political parties operating in the region and an analysis of the suffrage activity of Poles in the Vilnius region.