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{{Short description|Cultural and political organization based in Lithuania}}
'''Vilnija''' is a political organization, consisted from ] and ]<ref name="Cieplak"/> of ]; considered by some to be ]<ref name="Mudde">{{en icon}} {{cite book | author =Cas Mudde | coauthors = | title =Racist Extremism in Central and Eastern Europe | year =2005 | editor = | pages =151 | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =] | location =London | id =ISBN 0415355931 | url =http://books.google.com/books?id=YB-ZwiBf5HgC&pg=RA9-PA151&lpg=RA9-PA151&ots=wmhEhEojjt&sig=sJCh55Q77TuGYf4gfM5gbZm2DHg | format = | accessdate = }}</ref><ref name="GW_2001">], 2001-02-14, '' (Lithuanian prosecutor questioning AK veterans), last accessed on ] 2006]</ref><ref name="Vilkas">Leonardas Vilkas, (Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Way to Independence: An Attempt to Compare], on homepage of Jerzy Targalski, professor of ]</ref> and ].<ref name="Zakorzenianie">{{en icon}} {{cite web | author=Karolina Bielenin, dr Jarosław Tomasiewicz | title=Polish Minority in Lithuania | publisher=Stowarzyszenie na rzecz Wielości Kultur | year= | work=zaKORZENIEnie | url=http://zakorzenianie.most.org.pl/english/04.htm | accessdate=2007-01-13 }}</ref><ref name="Cieplak">{{pl icon}} {{cite web | author=Paweł Cieplak | title=Polsko-litewskie stosunki (Polish-Lithuanian affairs) | publisher= | year= | work=Lithuanian Portal | url=http://www.ambasada.lt/Default.asp?DL=P&TopicID=294 | accessdate=2007-01-13 }}</ref><ref name="Zuchowicz">{{pl icon}} {{cite journal | author =Katarzyna Zuchowicz | year = | month = | title =Pół wieku z polskim słowem (Half a Century With a Polish Word) | journal =] | volume = | issue =2003-07-16 | pages = | id = | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=5682&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=11&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | format = | accessdate =2007-01-13 }}, cited on the official page of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs</ref><ref name="Media_3">{{pl icon}} {{cite journal | author =Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs | year =2006 | month =10 | title ="Ustawa o języku państwowym" (Statue on national language) - commentary on ] article "Debaty nad ustawą o języku (Debates on the Language Act) " in ], 04 – 07.10 | journal =Media zagraniczne o Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) | volume =XV | issue =200/37062 | pages = | id = | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=9370&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=8&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | format = | accessdate =2006-01-20 }}</ref> The organization was formed in 1988, and its primary aim was the ]<ref name="Budryte"/> of ] living in the Eastern part of ]. The organization is composed of ] and was created by ]<ref name="Vilkas"/> was later joined by marginal Polish organization ]; <ref name="Cieplak"/> and has been led for many years by ].<ref name="GW_2001"/><ref name="Media_3"/><ref name="Media_4"/> Its program, elaborated in a monograph by Garšva<ref name="Garszwa">{{lt icon}} {{cite book | author =] | coauthors = | title =Pietryciu Lietuvos autonomijos klausimai (Questions on the Autonomy of South-Eastern Lithuania) | year =1990 | editor = | pages = | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =Eksperimentines Technikos | location =Chicago | id = | url = | format = | accessdate = }}</ref>, is based on their belief that the ] are in fact ] ] and that their true identity had been erased by years of foreign occupation<ref name="Budryte">{{en icon}} {{cite book | author =] | coauthors = | title =Taming Nationalism?: Political Community Building in the Post-Soviet Baltic States | year =2005 | editor = | pages =147-148 | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =Ashgate Publishing | location =Aldershot | id =ISBN 0754637573 | url =http://books.google.com/books?id=UJMzpeUHkQcC&pg=PA149&lpg=PA149&sig=s8BnP6xV4TGxoLbhZxJ1_9F8FFU#PPA148,M1 | format = | accessdate = }}</ref>. Although the Polonization of the Vilnius region is proven<ref> Turska H. O powstaniu polskich obszarow językowych na Wilenszczyznie. Wilno, 1939 </ref> <ref> Z. Zinkevičius „Pietryčių Lietuva nuo seniausių laikų iki mūsų dienų“ ] in „Lietuvos Rytai; straipsnių rinkinys ]; Vilnius 1993. ISBN 9986-09-002-4</ref> and it is known that many people who have spoken the special Belarusian dialect "po prostu",(with its many substantial relics from the Lithuanian language), ], have considered themselves to be Poles<ref> V. Čekmonas, L. Grumadaitė "Kalbų paplitimas Rytų Lietuvoje" ("The distribution of languages in eastern Lithuania"), in Lietuvos rytai; straipsnių rinkinys (The east of Lithuania; a collection of articles]; Vilnius 1993. ISBN 9986-09-002-4</ref>, Polish ] have stated that all these Poles have been living here "for ages" ("od wieków")<ref> Z. Zinkevičius „Pietryčių Lietuva nuo seniausių laikų iki mūsų dienų“ (Southeastern Lithuania from ancient times to nowadays) in „Lietuvos Rytai; straipsnių rinkinys (The east of Lithuania; a collection of the articles); Vilnius 1993. ISBN 9986-09-002-4</ref> denying any evidence of multi-ethnic descent of the locals. This came up mostly in the aftermath of politics and attendant self worth declining of "tuteishians", what continue to this day<ref> V. Čekmonas, L. Grumadaitė "Kalbų paplitimas Rytų Lietuvoje" ("The distribution of languages in eastern Lithuania"], in Lietuvos rytai; straipsnių rinkinys (The east of Lithuania; a collection of articles); Vilnius 1993. ISBN 9986-09-002-4 </ref>. To counter such situation, the organization proposed that they should be brought back to their Lithuanian roots by removing any trace of alien (that is, Polish or Russian) textbooks, teachers, symbols and traditions <ref name="Budryte"/>. The organization's goal is also to counter perceived growing Polish influence in Lithuania, which Vilnija sees as a threat to that nation. <ref name="Budryte"/>


'''Vilnija''' is a ]n cultural and political organization, created to promote and preserve ] in ], the Lithuanian name after which the organization is named. The organization has been described as ],{{sfn|Budryte|2005|p=147-148}}<ref name="Bielenin" /><ref name="Cieplak" /><ref name="Zuchowicz" /><ref name="Media_3" /> ],<ref name="Mudde" /><ref name="GW2001" /><ref name="Vilkas" /> and ].{{sfn|Budryte|2005|p=163}}
The organization is known for controversial actions and statements. In June 1999, it signed a petition defending ], the former head of Vilnius branch of ] (a ]n ]-sponsored collaborationist police force that operated from 1941 to 1944)<ref name="Justice">{{en icon}} {{cite news |author = ] |url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/library/news/1996/960626-302crm.htm |title = Court Revokes U.S. Citizenship of Former Security Police Official |date = 1996-06-26 |accessdate = 2006-06-09}}</ref>, accused of ] and ] during the ].<ref name="Mudde"/> Vilnija has been seen by Polish government and media to often organize or support ] actions<ref name="Media_4">{{pl icon}} {{cite journal | author =Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs | year =2006 | month =10 | title ="Antypolski tekst K. Garsvy" (Anti-polish text by K. Garsva)". Commentary on K.Garsva article "Kiedy na Wileńszczyźnie będzie wprowadzone zarządzanie bezpośrednie? (When Vilnius region will have direct self-government?)" in ], 11 -12.10 | journal =Media zagraniczne o Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) | volume =XV | issue =200/37062 | pages = | id = | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=9370&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=8&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | format = | accessdate =2006-01-20 }}</ref><ref name="Cieplak"/><ref name="Vilkas"/> and the academic works of its leader,the philologist ], have been very negatively received by Polish government<ref name="Media_1">{{pl icon}} {{cite journal | author =Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs | year =2005 | month =03 | title ="Armia Krajowa na Litwie - ślepa uliczka historii" - cd. | journal =Media zagraniczne o Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) | volume =XIV | issue =2539/3292 | pages = | id = | ur =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=4302&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=8&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | format = | accessdate =2006-01-15 }}</ref><ref name="Media_2">{{pl icon}} {{cite journal | author =Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs | year =2004 | month =09 | title =Dr Garsva - prezes nacjonalistycznego stowarzyszenia Vilnija (...) | journal =Media zagraniczne o Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) | volume =XIII | issue =2409 (3162) | pages = | id = | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=4169&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=8&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | format = | accessdate =2006-01-15 }}</ref>, media <ref name="Tygodnik">{{pl icon}} {{cite journal | author = | year =2005 | month =November | title =Uknuli prowokację | journal =] | volume = | issue = | pages = | id = | url =http://www.tygodnik.lt/200511/aktualia.html | format = | accessdate =2007-01-15 }}</ref><ref name="Mickiewicz">{{pl icon}} {{cite journal | author =Robert Mickiewicz | year =2005 | month =03 | title =Antypolski film w litewskiej telewizji | journal =] | volume =62 | issue =15.03.2005 | pages = | id = | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=6122&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=11&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | format = | accessdate =2007-01-15 }}</ref><ref name="Press-review">{{pl icon}} {{cite web | author=various authors | title=Press Review 2005-03-15 | publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland | year=2005 | work=Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs homepage| url=http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=6122&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=11&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | accessdate=2007-01-15 }}</ref>, and on occasion criticized by the Lithuanian government as well<ref name="Media_2"/>.


==History and policies==
==Specific controversies==
The organization was formed in 1988, by Lithuanian cultural and ] activists and its primary aim was the preservation of the Lithuanian language and culture in Vilnius region. The organization is mostly composed of ] although it was later joined by a token Polish organization, the Association of St. Zita (''Stowarzyszenie Św. Zyty'').<ref name=Cieplak/> The organization was created by ] and has been led for many years by ].<ref name=GW2001/><ref name=Media_3/><ref name=Media_4/> Its program, elaborated in a monograph by Garšva,<ref name=Garsva/> is based on the theory that the big part of the ] are in fact descendants of ] ] and ]. According to Vilnija members, this made them "ethnic Lithuanians" who should be restored to the nation. To achieve that, organization proposed that they should be ] by removing any trace of Polish textbooks, teachers, symbols and traditions.{{sfn|Budryte|2005|p=147-148}} The organization's goal is also to counter perceived growing Polish influence in Lithuania, which Vilnija sees as a threat to that nation.{{sfn|Budryte|2005|p=147-148}}
{{grammar|section}}
{{Citations missing|section|date=February 2007}}
Vilnija takes an interest in the political situation of the Lithuanians of the ]. Vilnija protests that former Polish autonomists, who it claims illegaly attempted to determine the political autonomy of Poles in May 22, 1991{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, are still in authority in the ] Party{{Fact|date=February 2007}} and have not yet received what is sees as a proper legal judgment for their anti-constitutional actions{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Vilnija claims that this party is composed of for Communists, and is a dictatorship in the districts with Polish majority&mdash; (] and ]).{{Fact|date=February 2007}} It points to the fact that Election Action of Lithuania's Poles regularly receives 80-90% of the votes in Vilnius district, although Poles constitutes only 64% of population there.<ref> </ref>
Vilnija says the Election Action of Lithuania's Poles party discourages the integration of the national minorities of Lithuania and constantly tries to present the Polish minority as put-upon<!--what does it mean?--><ref> </ref>.


== Controversies ==
Vilnija often voices concern about the situation of Lithuanian schools in the area.<ref> </ref><ref name="Delfi"> </ref>, the criticism on the Election Action of Lithuania's Poles party, and the Lithuanian government as well.
Vilnija has been seen by Polish government and media to often organize or support ] actions<ref name=Vilkas/><ref name=Cieplak/><ref name="Media_4"/> and the academic works of its leader, the philologist ], have been negatively received by the Polish government<ref name=Media_1/><ref name=Media_2/> and media.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 2005 | title =Uknuli prowokację | newspaper =Tygodnik Wileńszczyzny | url =http://www.tygodnik.lt/200511/aktualia.html | access-date =2007-01-15 |language=pl}}</ref><ref name=Mickiewicz/>


Vilnija takes an interest in the political situation of the Lithuanians of the ]. It is critical of the ] party, which it claims discourages the assimilation of the national minorities of Lithuania and constantly tries to present the Polish minority as prosecuted.<ref name=Vilimas/> ], the leader of EAPL, describes Vilnija as nationalistic.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dziedziczak.pl/aktualnosci/w-mediach/komu-przeszkadza-awpl-2235.html |title=Komu przeszkadza AWPL? |newspaper=Nasz Dziennik |date= February 3, 2014 |language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://kurierwilenski.lt/2014/02/03/nacjonalizm-i-kameleonizm-bylej-sowieckiej-nomenklatury-akademickiej/ |title=Nacjonalizm i kameleonizm byłej sowieckiej nomenklatury akademickiej |newspaper=Kurier Wileński| date=February 3, 2014 |language=pl}}</ref>
As Garšva says that local government propagates Polish schools at the expense of Lithuanian schools. He says that frequently larger amounts of money per pupil are allotted to Polish schools in order to attract Lithuanian students, and claims that such financial support of Poland is an interference in the affairs of the Lithuania Republic. The teachers of the Lithuanian schools of the region also see the attempts to attach Lithuanian schools to the Polish schools to be unnatural.<ref> </ref><ref name="Delfi">


Vilnija often voices concern about the situation of Lithuanian schools in the areas of Polish minority.<ref name=Urbonaite1/><ref name=Urbonaite2/> According to Vilnija, the local government propagates Polish schools at the expense of Lithuanian schools.<ref name=Urbonaite1/><ref name=Urbonaite2/> Vilnija is also active in the campaign against allowing members of the Polish minority in Lithuania to be able to spell their names with a Polish alphabet in official documents.<ref name=MSZ/>
As Garšva says: "After the plan of the establishment, reorganization, liquidation and reformation of the internal structure of the schools to the year 2012, it can be seen that Election Action of Lithuania's Poles administering apparently progresses to the programme of the further strengthening of the Polish schools and quick removal of the Lithuanian schools".<ref> </ref> According to him the Lithuanian ] of ] with 28 pupils was attached not to the Lithuanian ] of ], but were assigned to the Polish school with 5 pupils and a Polish ] The middle school of ] with 46 pupils studying in Lithuanian and 46 in Polish was atached not to the Lithuanian school in ], but to the Polish one.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}


==Members and activists==
The counterarguments given represent different view:<ref> The Ministrės pečius užgulė Vilniaus krašto mokyklų problemos ] www.delfi.lt </ref> "by the decree of the Vilnius Municipality the primary school of Glitiškės (with Lithuanian and Polish languages) was attached to the Glitiškės primary school teaching in both the Lithuanian and Polish languages. There where no potential to have the school attached to the middle school in Glitiškės because of it was subordinate to another body, the administraton of ]. The school principal assigned was the only person having entered the competition. There were no request to study in Lithuanian in the first grade level in 2004-2005 here."{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
Prominent members of the organization include its long-time leader, ],{{sfn|Budryte|2005|p=147-148}} ] deputy and organization's founder ],<ref name=Vilkas/> and writer {{ill|Izidorius Šimelionis|lt|Izidorius Šimelionis}}.<ref name=Kasperavicius/> In 2016, ] was presented with the Cross of the Knight of the ].<ref name=LRP/>


During the 1980s and 1990s, the organization's most prominent activists were scientists ] and {{ill|Alvydas Butkus|lt|Alvydas Butkus}}, according to Polish historian Barbara Jundo-Kaliszewska.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jundo-Kaliszewska |first=Barbara |date=2013 |title=Etnolingwistyczna istota nacjonalizmu litewskiego i antypolonizm Litwinów na przełomie lat osiemdziesiątych i dziewięćdziesiątych XX w. |trans-title=The ethnolinguistic essence of Lithuanian nationalism and the anti-Polonism of Lithuanians at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s |url=https://www.academia.edu/67100077/Etnolingwistyczna_istota_nacjonalizmu_litewskiego_i_antypolonizm_Litwin%C3%B3w_na_prze%C5%82omie_lat_osiemdziesi%C4%85tych_i_dziewi%C4%99%C4%87dziesi%C4%85tych_XX_w |journal=Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Historica |volume=91 |page=236 |quote=''Najwybitniejszymi działaczami Vilnii w omawianym okresie byli m.in. wspomniani wyżej naukowcy – Zigmas Zinkevičius i Alvydas Butkus'' ({{Literal translation|The most prominent Vilnija activists during the period in question included the aforementioned scientists - Zigmas Zinkevičius and Alvydas Butkus}})}}</ref>
==Notes and references==
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==References==
⚫ ]
{{Reflist|refs=
⚫ ]

<ref name=Bielenin>{{cite web | first1=Karolina |last1=Bielenin |first2=Jarosław |last2=Tomasiewicz | title=Polish Minority in Lithuania |publisher=Stowarzyszenie Wspierania Kultur Etnicznych | work=Stowarzyszenie na rzecz Wielości Kultur | url=http://zakorzenianie.most.org.pl/english/04.htm | access-date=2007-01-13 }}</ref>

<ref name=Cieplak>{{cite web | first=Paweł |last=Cieplak | title=Polsko-litewskie stosunki |trans-title=Polish-Lithuanian Affairs | publisher=UAB "Penki kontinentai" |work=Ambasada.lt | url=http://www.ambasada.lt/new/Default.asp?DL=P&SearchTXT=&EditionID=17&TopicID=294&ArticleID=380&Page=3 | access-date=2007-01-13 | language=pl | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505183058/http://www.ambasada.lt/new/Default.asp?DL=P&SearchTXT=&EditionID=17&TopicID=294&ArticleID=380&Page=3 | archive-date=2009-05-05 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=Garsva>{{cite book |first=Kazimieras |last=Garšva | author-link =Kazimieras Garšva | title =Pietryčių Lietuvos autonomijos klausimai |trans-title=Questions on the Autonomy of South-Eastern Lithuania | year =1990 | publisher =Eksperimentinė technikos paminklų restauravimo įmonė | location =Vilnius |language=lt |oclc=311338314}}</ref>

<ref name=GW2001>{{cite news |language=pl |newspaper=] |date=14 February 2001 |url=http://serwisy.gazeta.pl/swiat/1,34175,151474.html |title=Litewska prokuratura przesłuchuje weteranów AK |trans-title=Lithuanian prosecutor questioning AK veterans |access-date=7 June 2006}}</ref>

<ref name=Kasperavicius>{{cite book |language=pl |first=Algis |last=Kasperavičius |url=http://www.bialystok.ap.gov.pl/dziedzictwo/pliki/historycy.pdf |chapter=Współcześni historycy litewscy o sprawie Wilna i stosunkach polsko-litewskich w latach 1918-1940 oraz zmiany w potocznej świadomości Litwinów | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722013854/http://www.bialystok.ap.gov.pl/dziedzictwo/pliki/historycy.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-22 |title=Historycy polscy, litewscy i białoruscy wobec problemów XX wieku Historiografia polska, litewska i białoruska po 1989 roku |editor-first1= Krzysztof |editor-last1=Buchowski |editor-first2=Wojciech |editor-last2=Śleszyński |publisher= Instytut Historii Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku |year=2003 |isbn= 83-910713-9-1 |page=106}}</ref>

<ref name=LRP>{{cite web|title=Prezidentė apdovanojo Lietuvą garsinančius žmones|url=https://www.lrp.lt/lt/spaudos-centras/pranesimai-spaudai/prezidente-apdovanojo-lietuva-garsinancius-zmones/25612 |publisher=Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania |date=6 July 2016 |language=lt |access-date=2 June 2018}}</ref>

<ref name=Media_1>{{cite journal | author =Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=March 2005 | title ="Armia Krajowa na Litwie - ślepa uliczka historii" - cd | journal =Media Zagraniczne O Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) | volume =XIV | issue =2539/3292 | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=4302&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=8&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | access-date =2006-01-15 |language=pl}}</ref>

<ref name=Media_2>{{cite journal | author =Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=September 2004 | title =Dr Garsva - prezes nacjonalistycznego stowarzyszenia Vilnija (...) | journal =Media Zagraniczne O Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) | volume =XIII | issue =2409/3162 | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=4169&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=8&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | access-date =2006-01-15 |language=pl}}</ref>

<ref name=Media_3>{{cite journal | author =Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=October 2006 | title =Ustawa o języku państwowym |trans-title=Statute on national language |quote=Commentary on Vincas Urbutis' article "Debaty nad ustawą o języku" (Debates on the Language Act) in '']''. |journal=Media Zagraniczne O Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) | volume =XV | issue =200/37062 | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=9370&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=8&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz |access-date =2006-01-20 |language=pl}} </ref>

<ref name=Media_4>{{cite journal | author =Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=October 2006 | title =Antypolski tekst K. Garsvy |trans-title=Anti-Polish text by K. Garšva |quote=Commentary on Garšva's article "Kiedy na Wileńszczyźnie będzie wprowadzone zarządzanie bezpośrednie?" (When Vilnius region will have direct self-government?)" in '']''. |journal= Media Zagraniczne O Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) | volume =XV |issue =200/37062 |url=http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=9370&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=8&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz |access-date =2006-01-20 |language=pl}} </ref>

<ref name=Mickiewicz>{{cite news | first =Robert |last=Mickiewicz | title =Antypolski film w litewskiej telewizji | newspaper =] | volume =62 | date =15 March 2005 | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=6122&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=11&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | access-date =2007-01-15 |language=pl}}</ref>

<ref name=MSZ>{{cite journal |language=pl |url=http://www.msz.gov.pl/files/Biuletyn%20Polonijny/2009%20-%2002%20biuletyn.pdf |title=Stowarzyszenie "Vilnija" przeciw polskiej pisowni nazwisk w litewskich dokumentach |journal=Biuletyn Polonijny Ministerstwa Spraw Zagranicznych |pages=13–14 |volume= 2 |year=2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307131636/http://www.msz.gov.pl/files/Biuletyn%20Polonijny/2009%20-%2002%20biuletyn.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-07 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=Mudde>{{cite book | first =Cas |last=Mudde | title =Racist Extremism in Central and Eastern Europe | year =2005 | page =151 | publisher =] | location =London | isbn =0-415-35593-1 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=YB-ZwiBf5HgC&pg=RA9-PA151 }}</ref>

<ref name=Urbonaite1>{{cite web |first=Ieva |last=Urbonaitė |date=9 June 2006 | url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/article.php?id=9823970 |title=Už augantį lenkiškų mokyklų mokinių skaičių politikai gauna premijas |trans-title=Politicians Receive Bonuses for the Growing Number of the Pupils in Polish Schools | publisher=] |language=lt }}</ref>

<ref name=Urbonaite2>{{cite web |first=Ieva |last=Urbonaitė |date=17 August 2006 | url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/article.php?id=10398981 |title=Ministrės pečius užgulė Vilniaus krašto mokyklų problemos |trans-title=The Problems of the Schools of Vilnius Region Shouldered by the Minister | publisher=] |language=lt }}</ref>

<ref name=Vilimas>{{cite journal |first=Darius |last=Vilimas |url=http://www.xxiamzius.lt/archyvas/xxiamzius/20021220/aktu_03.html |title=Geresnio gyvenimo troškulys |trans-title=The Thirst for a Better Life |journal=XXI amžius |volume=96 |issue=1103 |date= 20 December 2002 |language=lt |issn=2029-1299 }}</ref>

<ref name=Vilkas>{{cite web| first=Leonardas |last=Vilkas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928050206/http://www.darski.info/?darski=kraje&go=estonia_elali |url=http://www.darski.info/?darski=kraje&go=estonia_elali |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead |title= Litewska, Łotewska i Estońska droga do niepodległości i demokracji: próba porównania |trans-title=Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Way to Independence: An Attempt to Compare |work= homepage of Jerzy Targalski, professor of ] |language=pl}}</ref>

<ref name=Zuchowicz>{{cite news | first =Katarzyna |last= Zuchowicz | title =Pół wieku z polskim słowem |trans-title=Half a Century With a Polish Word | newspaper =] | date =16 July 2003 | url =http://www.mfa.gov.pl/index.php?page=5682&lang_id=pl&bulletin_id=11&portlet=biuletyn%2Fpokaz | access-date =2007-01-13 |language=pl |via=Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref>

}}

== Sources ==

* {{Cite journal |last=Budreckis |first=Algirdas |date=1967 |title=Etnografinės Lietuvos Rytinės ir Pietinės Sienos |url=http://partizanai.org/karys-1967m-7-8/5742-etnografines-lietuvos-rytines-ir-pietines-sienos |journal=]}}
* {{cite book | first =Dovile |last=Budryte | title =Taming Nationalism?: Political Community Building in the Post-Soviet Baltic States | year =2005 | publisher =Ashgate Publishing | location =Aldershot | isbn =0-7546-3757-3 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=UJMzpeUHkQcC&pg=PA149 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Lipscomb |first1=Glenard P. |last2=Committee for a Free Lithuania |author2-link=Committee for a Free Lithuania |date=29 May 1958 |title=Extension of Remarks |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_congressional-record-proceedings-and-debates_may-27-june-19-1958_104_appendix/page/n107/mode/2up?q=Tutejszy |journal=] |volume=104 - Appendix}}
* {{Cite book |last=Šapoka |first=Adolfas |url=https://archive.org/details/sapoka-rastai-t.-1-2013/page/216/mode/2up?q=Tutejszy |title=Raštai |publisher=Edukologija |year=2013 |volume=I - Vilniaus Istorija |location=Vilnius |language=Lithuanian}}
* {{Cite news |last=Zinkevičius |first=Zigmas |author-link=Zigmas Zinkevičius |date=31 January 2014 |title=Lenkiškai kalbantys lietuviai |language=Lithuanian |trans-title=Polish-speaking Lithuanians |work=alkas.lt |url=https://alkas.lt/2014/01/31/z-zinkevicius-lenkiskai-kalbantys-lietuviai/}}

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Cultural and political organization based in Lithuania

Vilnija is a Lithuanian cultural and political organization, created to promote and preserve Lithuanian culture in Vilnius region, the Lithuanian name after which the organization is named. The organization has been described as nationalist, extremist, and anti-Polish.

History and policies

The organization was formed in 1988, by Lithuanian cultural and Sąjūdis activists and its primary aim was the preservation of the Lithuanian language and culture in Vilnius region. The organization is mostly composed of ethnic Lithuanians although it was later joined by a token Polish organization, the Association of St. Zita (Stowarzyszenie Św. Zyty). The organization was created by Romualdas Ozolas and has been led for many years by Kazimieras Garšva. Its program, elaborated in a monograph by Garšva, is based on the theory that the big part of the Poles in Lithuania are in fact descendants of Polonized Lithuanians and Belarusians. According to Vilnija members, this made them "ethnic Lithuanians" who should be restored to the nation. To achieve that, organization proposed that they should be forcibly assimilated by removing any trace of Polish textbooks, teachers, symbols and traditions. The organization's goal is also to counter perceived growing Polish influence in Lithuania, which Vilnija sees as a threat to that nation.

Controversies

Vilnija has been seen by Polish government and media to often organize or support anti-Polish actions and the academic works of its leader, the philologist Kazimieras Garšva, have been negatively received by the Polish government and media.

Vilnija takes an interest in the political situation of the Lithuanians of the Vilnius Region. It is critical of the Election Action of Lithuania's Poles party, which it claims discourages the assimilation of the national minorities of Lithuania and constantly tries to present the Polish minority as prosecuted. Valdemar Tomaševski, the leader of EAPL, describes Vilnija as nationalistic.

Vilnija often voices concern about the situation of Lithuanian schools in the areas of Polish minority. According to Vilnija, the local government propagates Polish schools at the expense of Lithuanian schools. Vilnija is also active in the campaign against allowing members of the Polish minority in Lithuania to be able to spell their names with a Polish alphabet in official documents.

Members and activists

Prominent members of the organization include its long-time leader, Kazimieras Garšva, Seimas deputy and organization's founder Romualdas Ozolas, and writer Izidorius Šimelionis [lt]. In 2016, Kazimieras Garšva was presented with the Cross of the Knight of the Order for Merits to Lithuania.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the organization's most prominent activists were scientists Zigmas Zinkevičius and Alvydas Butkus [lt], according to Polish historian Barbara Jundo-Kaliszewska.

References

  1. ^ Budryte 2005, p. 147-148.
  2. Bielenin, Karolina; Tomasiewicz, Jarosław. "Polish Minority in Lithuania". Stowarzyszenie na rzecz Wielości Kultur. Stowarzyszenie Wspierania Kultur Etnicznych. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  3. ^ Cieplak, Paweł. "Polsko-litewskie stosunki" [Polish-Lithuanian Affairs]. Ambasada.lt (in Polish). UAB "Penki kontinentai". Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  4. Zuchowicz, Katarzyna (16 July 2003). "Pół wieku z polskim słowem" [Half a Century With a Polish Word]. Rzeczpospolita (in Polish). Retrieved 2007-01-13 – via Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  5. ^ Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (October 2006). "Ustawa o języku państwowym" [Statute on national language]. Media Zagraniczne O Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) (in Polish). XV (200/37062). Retrieved 2006-01-20. Commentary on Vincas Urbutis' article "Debaty nad ustawą o języku" (Debates on the Language Act) in Lietuvos aidas.
  6. Mudde, Cas (2005). Racist Extremism in Central and Eastern Europe. London: Routledge (UK). p. 151. ISBN 0-415-35593-1.
  7. ^ "Litewska prokuratura przesłuchuje weteranów AK" [Lithuanian prosecutor questioning AK veterans]. Gazeta Wyborcza (in Polish). 14 February 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2006.
  8. ^ Vilkas, Leonardas. "Litewska, Łotewska i Estońska droga do niepodległości i demokracji: próba porównania" [Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Way to Independence: An Attempt to Compare]. homepage of Jerzy Targalski, professor of University of Warsaw (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2007-09-28.
  9. Budryte 2005, p. 163.
  10. ^ Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (October 2006). "Antypolski tekst K. Garsvy" [Anti-Polish text by K. Garšva]. Media Zagraniczne O Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) (in Polish). XV (200/37062). Retrieved 2006-01-20. Commentary on Garšva's article "Kiedy na Wileńszczyźnie będzie wprowadzone zarządzanie bezpośrednie?" (When Vilnius region will have direct self-government?)" in Lietuvos aidas.
  11. Garšva, Kazimieras (1990). Pietryčių Lietuvos autonomijos klausimai [Questions on the Autonomy of South-Eastern Lithuania] (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Eksperimentinė technikos paminklų restauravimo įmonė. OCLC 311338314.
  12. Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (March 2005). ""Armia Krajowa na Litwie - ślepa uliczka historii" - cd". Media Zagraniczne O Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) (in Polish). XIV (2539/3292). Retrieved 2006-01-15.
  13. Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (September 2004). "Dr Garsva - prezes nacjonalistycznego stowarzyszenia Vilnija (...)". Media Zagraniczne O Polsce (Foreign Media on Poland) (in Polish). XIII (2409/3162). Retrieved 2006-01-15.
  14. "Uknuli prowokację". Tygodnik Wileńszczyzny (in Polish). November 2005. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  15. Mickiewicz, Robert (15 March 2005). "Antypolski film w litewskiej telewizji". Rzeczpospolita (in Polish). Vol. 62. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  16. Vilimas, Darius (20 December 2002). "Geresnio gyvenimo troškulys" [The Thirst for a Better Life]. XXI amžius (in Lithuanian). 96 (1103). ISSN 2029-1299.
  17. "Komu przeszkadza AWPL?". Nasz Dziennik (in Polish). February 3, 2014.
  18. "Nacjonalizm i kameleonizm byłej sowieckiej nomenklatury akademickiej". Kurier Wileński (in Polish). February 3, 2014.
  19. ^ Urbonaitė, Ieva (9 June 2006). "Už augantį lenkiškų mokyklų mokinių skaičių politikai gauna premijas" [Politicians Receive Bonuses for the Growing Number of the Pupils in Polish Schools] (in Lithuanian). Delfi.lt.
  20. ^ Urbonaitė, Ieva (17 August 2006). "Ministrės pečius užgulė Vilniaus krašto mokyklų problemos" [The Problems of the Schools of Vilnius Region Shouldered by the Minister] (in Lithuanian). Delfi.lt.
  21. "Stowarzyszenie "Vilnija" przeciw polskiej pisowni nazwisk w litewskich dokumentach" (PDF). Biuletyn Polonijny Ministerstwa Spraw Zagranicznych (in Polish). 2: 13–14. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-07.
  22. Kasperavičius, Algis (2003). "Współcześni historycy litewscy o sprawie Wilna i stosunkach polsko-litewskich w latach 1918-1940 oraz zmiany w potocznej świadomości Litwinów". In Buchowski, Krzysztof; Śleszyński, Wojciech (eds.). Historycy polscy, litewscy i białoruscy wobec problemów XX wieku Historiografia polska, litewska i białoruska po 1989 roku (PDF) (in Polish). Instytut Historii Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku. p. 106. ISBN 83-910713-9-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22.
  23. "Prezidentė apdovanojo Lietuvą garsinančius žmones" (in Lithuanian). Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  24. Jundo-Kaliszewska, Barbara (2013). "Etnolingwistyczna istota nacjonalizmu litewskiego i antypolonizm Litwinów na przełomie lat osiemdziesiątych i dziewięćdziesiątych XX w." [The ethnolinguistic essence of Lithuanian nationalism and the anti-Polonism of Lithuanians at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s]. Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Historica. 91: 236. Najwybitniejszymi działaczami Vilnii w omawianym okresie byli m.in. wspomniani wyżej naukowcy – Zigmas Zinkevičius i Alvydas Butkus (lit. 'The most prominent Vilnija activists during the period in question included the aforementioned scientists - Zigmas Zinkevičius and Alvydas Butkus')

Sources

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