Charakter kontaktów transgranicznych między polskimi i słowackimi Rusinami - przeszłość, teraźniejszość, przyszłość

Nature of trans-border contacts between Polish and Slovak Ruthenians - history, present, and future

Summary: Polish and Slovak Ruthenians have been living side by side for ages. The political border separating different Ruthenian communities moved repeatedly throughout history and did not exist at one point or another. Despite numerous political transformations in the region, Polish Lemkos, Slovak Rusnaks, as well as Ruthenians living in Poland and Slovakia have always remained connected by strong cultural, social, and economic bonds. Extensive contact between Polish and Slovak Ruthenians has been taking place since their settlement in the region many centuries ago. Several types of contact between the two groups have been noted. The first type was based on the exchange of merchandise via trade routes through the Beskidy Mountains. Moreover, Ruthenians usually had the opportunity to meet each other at large fairs which took place a few times a year in the biggest cities of the region. The second type of contact was connected with religious life. Once a year, many Lemkos and Rusnaks would go on a pilgrimage to the most important monasteries in the region. This was also an opportunity to meet neighbours from the other side of the mountains. The third type of contact was based on family and social events such as weddings, funerals, and other group events. Trans-border contacts became interrupted during the First and Second World Wars. After the Second World War, the Lemko region in Poland was subjected to an organized government action to displace the Lemko population. This action resulted in the severance of all contact with the Slovak side for nearly fifty years. Today, trans-border contacts are of a different nature. For Polish Lemkos, the most common and important form of contact is social contact where family gatherings take place during major national festivals. For Slovak Rusnaks, the most common types of contact are business and family-oriented events. There is the hope that once the border is opened, all forms of contact will become more frequent. Otherwise, the old myth of the Ruthenian family will become merely an old memory.

Słowa kluczowe: Rusini, Łemkowie, Rusnacy, Łemkowszczyzna, Okręg Preszowski, kontakty transgraniczne

Słowa kluczowe (w języku angielskim): Rusins, Rusyns, Lemkos, Ruthenians, Presov Region, Lemkowszczyzna, trans-border contacts

Prace Geograficzne, 2009, z. 121, s. 237-247.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISSN 1644-3586

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