Vilnija
Encyclopedia
Vilnija is a Lithuania
n political organization, considered to be extremist and nationalist.
, by Lithuanian nationalists and communists and its primary aim was the Lithuanization
of ethnic Poles living in the Eastern part of Lithuania
. The organization is mostly composed of ethnic Lithuanians although it was later joined by a marginal 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 their belief that the Polish minority in Lithuania
are in fact Polonized
Lithuanians
and that their true identity had been erased by years of foreign occupation. 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 . The organization's goal is also to counter perceived growing Polish influence in Lithuania, which Vilnija sees as a threat to that nation.
The organization is known for controversial actions and statements. In June 1999, it signed a petition defending Aleksandras Lileikis, the former head of Vilnius branch of Lithuanian Security Police
(a Lithuania
n Nazi-sponsored collaborationist police force that operated from 1941 to 1944), accused of extermination of Jews and collaboration with the Nazis
during the Second World War. 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 very negatively received by Polish government, media , and on occasion criticized by the Lithuanian government as well.
. Vilnija asserts that former Polish autonomists, who it claims illegally attempted to determine the political autonomy of Poles on May 22, 1991, are still in authority in the Election Action of Lithuania's Poles
Party (active in the districts with Polish majority— Vilnius district and Šalčininkai district) and have not yet received what is sees as a proper legal judgment for their anti-constitutional actions. Vilnija says the Election Action of Lithuania's Poles party discourages the assimilation of the national minorities of Lithuania and constantly tries to present the Polish minority as prosecuted.
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 Polish minority in Lithuania to be able to spell their names with a Polish alphabet in official documents.
, Seimas
deputy and organization's founder Romualdas Ozolas
, and writer Izidorius Šimelionis.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n political organization, considered to be extremist and nationalist.
History and policies
The organization was formed in 1988, in the LSSRLithuanian SSR
The Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Lithuanian SSR, was one of the republics that made up the former Soviet Union...
, by Lithuanian nationalists and communists and its primary aim was the Lithuanization
Lithuanization
Lithuanization is a process of cultural assimilation - adoption, either forced or voluntary, of Lithuanian culture or language, experienced by non-Lithuanian people or groups of people.- History :...
of ethnic Poles living in the Eastern part of Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. The organization is mostly composed of ethnic Lithuanians although it was later joined by a marginal Polish organization, the Association of St. Zita (Stowarzyszenie Św. Zyty) . The organization was created by Romualdas Ozolas
Romualdas Ozolas
thumb|Romualdas OzolasRomualdas Ozolas is a Lithuanian politician, activist, writer and pedagogue. Teacher at the Vilnius University. Member of the Lithuanian branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1973 to 1990. Member of Lithuanian independence movement, the Sąjūdis Initiative...
and has been led for many years by Kazimieras Garšva
Kazimieras Garšva
Kazimieras Garšva is a Lithuanian linguist, and the leader of the controversial "Vilnija" organisation.-Biography:...
. Its program, elaborated in a monograph by Garšva, is based on their belief that the Polish minority in Lithuania
Polish minority in Lithuania
The Polish minority in Lithuania numbered 234,989 persons, according to the Lithuanian census of 2001, or 6.74% of the total population of Lithuania. It is the largest ethnic minority in the country and the second largest Polish diaspora group among the post-Soviet states...
are in fact Polonized
Polonization
Polonization was the acquisition or imposition of elements of Polish culture, in particular, Polish language, as experienced in some historic periods by non-Polish populations of territories controlled or substantially influenced by Poland...
Lithuanians
Lithuanians
Lithuanians are the Baltic ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number around 2,765,600 people. Another million or more make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Russia, United Kingdom and Ireland. Their native language...
and that their true identity had been erased by years of foreign occupation. 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 . The organization's goal is also to counter perceived growing Polish influence in Lithuania, which Vilnija sees as a threat to that nation.
The organization is known for controversial actions and statements. In June 1999, it signed a petition defending Aleksandras Lileikis, the former head of Vilnius branch of Lithuanian Security Police
Lithuanian Security Police
The Lithuanian Security Police, also referred to as Saugumas , was a Lithuanian Nazi collaborationist police force that operated from 1941 to 1944. It had a staff of approximately 400 people, 250 of them in Kaunas and around another 130 in Vilnius....
(a Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n Nazi-sponsored collaborationist police force that operated from 1941 to 1944), accused of extermination of Jews and collaboration with the Nazis
Collaborationism
Collaborationism is cooperation with enemy forces against one's country. Legally, it may be considered as a form of treason. Collaborationism may be associated with criminal deeds in the service of the occupying power, which may include complicity with the occupying power in murder, persecutions,...
during the Second World War. 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
Kazimieras Garšva
Kazimieras Garšva is a Lithuanian linguist, and the leader of the controversial "Vilnija" organisation.-Biography:...
, have been very negatively received by Polish government, media , and on occasion criticized by the Lithuanian government as well.
Specific controversies
Vilnija takes an interest in the political situation of the Lithuanians of the Vilnius regionVilnius region
Vilnius Region , refers to the territory in the present day Lithuania, that was originally inhabited by ethnic Baltic tribes and was a part of Lithuania proper, but came under East Slavic and Polish cultural influences over time,...
. Vilnija asserts that former Polish autonomists, who it claims illegally attempted to determine the political autonomy of Poles on May 22, 1991, are still in authority in the Election Action of Lithuania's Poles
Election Action of Lithuania's Poles
Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania , abbreviated to AWPL or LLRA, is a centre-right Lithuanian political party. It represents the Polish minority and positions itself as Christian democratic...
Party (active in the districts with Polish majority— Vilnius district and Šalčininkai district) and have not yet received what is sees as a proper legal judgment for their anti-constitutional actions. Vilnija says the Election Action of Lithuania's Poles party discourages the assimilation of the national minorities of Lithuania and constantly tries to present the Polish minority as prosecuted.
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 Polish minority in Lithuania to be able to spell their names with a Polish alphabet in official documents.
Members and supporters
Prominent members and supporters of the organization include its long time leader, Kazimieras GaršvaKazimieras Garšva
Kazimieras Garšva is a Lithuanian linguist, and the leader of the controversial "Vilnija" organisation.-Biography:...
, Seimas
Seimas
The Seimas is the unicameral Lithuanian parliament. It has 141 members that are elected for a four-year term. About half of the members of this legislative body are elected in individual constituencies , and the other half are elected by nationwide vote according to proportional representation...
deputy and organization's founder Romualdas Ozolas
Romualdas Ozolas
thumb|Romualdas OzolasRomualdas Ozolas is a Lithuanian politician, activist, writer and pedagogue. Teacher at the Vilnius University. Member of the Lithuanian branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1973 to 1990. Member of Lithuanian independence movement, the Sąjūdis Initiative...
, and writer Izidorius Šimelionis.