Polish culture in the Interbellum
Encyclopedia
Polish culture in the Interbellum period witnessed a time of rebirth, as Polish culture was no longer suppressed by partitioners
. It saw the retreat of the 19th century elite cultures of nobility as well as the traditional folk culture
, and rise of a new mass culture, close to inteligentsia, integrating the new Polish society.
Polish culture was differentiated between the three former partitions. The territories of the Prussian partition
were most developed, while east and south territories - parts of the former Russian partition
and Austrian partition
- were among the least developed regions in Europe. Over time, the cultural hubs of Warsaw
, Kraków
, Wilno
(modern Vilnius) and Lwów
(modern Lviv) raised themselves to the level of major European cities.
While the term Polish culture refers primarily to the Polish language culture in Poland and in other countries, Second Polish Republic had also several vibrant national minorities: most notably Jewish, Ukrainian
, Belorussian, Lithuanian
and German
. To a degree that varied depending on time and particular ethnic group, those minorities where shunned by the mainstream Polish culture and subject to polonization policies.
Partitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
. It saw the retreat of the 19th century elite cultures of nobility as well as the traditional folk culture
Folk culture
Folk culture refers to the lifestyle of a culture. Historically, handed down through oral tradition, it demonstrates the "old ways" over novelty and relates to a sense of community. Folk culture is quite often imbued with a sense of place...
, and rise of a new mass culture, close to inteligentsia, integrating the new Polish society.
Polish culture was differentiated between the three former partitions. The territories of the Prussian partition
Prussian partition
The Prussian partition refers to the former territories of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth acquired during the partitions of Poland in the late 18th century by the Kingdom of Prussia.-History:...
were most developed, while east and south territories - parts of the former Russian partition
Russian partition
The Russian partition was the former territories of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that were acquired by the Russian Empire in the late-18th-century Partitions of Poland.-Terminology:...
and Austrian partition
Austrian partition
The Austrian partition refers to the former territories of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth acquired by the Austrian Empire during the partitions of Poland in late 18th century.-History:...
- were among the least developed regions in Europe. Over time, the cultural hubs of Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, Wilno
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
(modern Vilnius) and Lwów
Lviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
(modern Lviv) raised themselves to the level of major European cities.
While the term Polish culture refers primarily to the Polish language culture in Poland and in other countries, Second Polish Republic had also several vibrant national minorities: most notably Jewish, Ukrainian
Ukrainian minority in Poland
The Ukrainian minority in Poland is composed of 27,172 people according to the Polish census of 2002. Most of them live in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship , followed by West Pomeranian , Podkarpackie and Pomeranian Voivodeship ....
, Belorussian, Lithuanian
Lithuanian minority in Poland
Lithuanian minority in Poland consists of 5,639 people living chiefly in the Podlaskie Voivodeship in the north-eastern part of Poland...
and German
German minority in Poland
The registered German minority in Poland consists of 152,900 people, according to a 2002 census.The German language is used in certain areas in Opole Voivodeship , where most of the minority resides...
. To a degree that varied depending on time and particular ethnic group, those minorities where shunned by the mainstream Polish culture and subject to polonization policies.
Further reading
- Bolesław Klimaszewski, An Outline History of Polish Culture, Interpress, 1984, ISBN 8322320361