Publicatie cu continut integral - Asociatia Tinerilor Istorici din Moldova
Publicatie cu continut integral - Asociatia Tinerilor Istorici din Moldova
Publicatie cu continut integral - Asociatia Tinerilor Istorici din Moldova
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intellectuals in Latgale were very active and they declared their pretensions to these land in the 1870s1 . So Polish<br />
and Latvian perceptions of Latgale are opposite each other and in the same time they are mutually exclusive.<br />
Polish intellectuals formated Polish image of Latgale not only in historical studies – Polish literature was not<br />
less nationalistic than historiography and many Polish writers did a lot for integration of local Latgalian images to<br />
general Polish literature and language context. In 1912 Polish poet edward Słoński published in Witebsk volume<br />
of his verses with nationalistic and patriotic title “Z okolic Dźwiny” 2 . By such name he tried to underline that Latgalian<br />
territories belonged to the number of Polish historical lands. By his lyrical and romantic poetry (edward<br />
Słoński for example, wrote: “Ja znam ten kraj, gdzie nie cytryny rosną // nie pyszny laur, nie wonny mitr rozkwita<br />
// Ja znam ten kraj, gdzie wiatr nie palmy muska // lecz w ciemną noc w przydrożnej łka olszynie // ja znam ten<br />
kraj, gdzie stara Dźwina pluska // Ja znam ten gród... Jak z murów tynk zwietrzały // Opada sen z nabrzmiałych<br />
łzami powiek... // - Jakże ty chcesz, żeby zmartwychwstał człowiek // z pod gruzów tych, gdzie bogi umierały?”) he<br />
assisted to formation and strengthening of concept of Latgale as Polish lieux de memoire only.<br />
Modern Polish intellectuals don’t forget such ideas and they continue to develop image of Latgale as image of<br />
inflanty Polskie. For example anonymous author in one of nationalistic sites in Polish internet which is devoted<br />
to Poles in diapora write, that Latgale is not only geographical territory, but element of Polish national spirit, of<br />
Polish national, <strong>cu</strong>ltural and spiritual life: “inflanty Polskie to nazwa geograficzna, która dziś brzmi może dla<br />
niektórych trochę egzotycznie i tajemniczo, ale stanowi bardzo istotny fragment polskiego życia duchowego”.<br />
Plans of establishment of the Greater Poland from Baltic to Black sea hadn’t historical perspectives and Latgale<br />
after the First World War developed as part of Latvia where Polish continued existing but as national minority<br />
only. Historically Polish perception of Latgale as only Polish national heritage, as Polish lieux de memoire assisted<br />
to marginalization of this project. Polish nationalists were not able to tear up this region from Baltic <strong>cu</strong>ltural massive.<br />
So Polish intellectuals were losers and marginals who were forced to cherish their Latgalian memoirs and<br />
narratives in exile or in external opposition. But Polish nationalists were not the only losers in this intellectual war<br />
for Latgale as lieux de memoire – Belarus nationalists sustained more frightful and impressive defeat.<br />
Belarus nationalists later than Latvian, Latgalian and Polish intellectuals tried to integrate Latgale in complex<br />
of their own national narratives. It was result of low development of Belarus national movement in Russian Empire.<br />
Latvian intellectuals in inter-wars period motivated such situation in the next way: Belarus nationalism was<br />
weak and it developed between two poles – between Russian and Polish influence3 . Belarus activity took place in<br />
Latgale during the first half of 20th century age, when this region was realized by Belarus nationalists and intellectuals<br />
as part of future independent Belarus.<br />
In this case they were engaged in conflict with Latvian and Polish states and powerful nationalistic movements<br />
and doctrines in the same time. Belarus nationalists were active and tried to use advantages of post-war situation.<br />
That is why they claimed from newly established Latvian republic to confess their Belarus diplomatically. On<br />
another hand Latgale was good land for Belarus nationalists – here they started such impressive activity which<br />
was impossible in Soviet Belarus. They began to formate their own perception of Latgale. They <strong>cu</strong>ltivated narrative<br />
about Daugavpīls as about Dzwinsk – non Latvian, but Belarus city. In fact majority of Belarus leaders and<br />
national activists in Latvia lived in Latgale. Such prominent politicians as Kastus’ Ezawitaw and Siargei Saharaw<br />
were among leaders of Belarus nationalists in Latgale between two wars4 .<br />
Latgale was one of centers where Belarus nationalists tried to support and develop Belarus <strong>cu</strong>lture and identity.<br />
Local Belarus intellectual leaders in such situation had influenced on Latgalian region not very much, but they<br />
tried to use situation when many inhabitants of Latgalian region did not have expressive and obvious national<br />
identity5 . For their national needs Belarus intellectuals in Latgale were active in local political life, quite often<br />
wrote in Latvian and try to popularize their ideas about Latgale as Belarus lieux de memoire among Latvian politicians6<br />
. Belarus politicians of Latgale in inter-war period widely used experience which they got in 1919 – 19207 .<br />
1 MANTEUFFEL, 1879.<br />
2 SŁOŃSKI, 1912.<br />
3 KEMPS, 1991; KRASNAIS, 1938.<br />
4 LIS, 1997, 329 – 334.<br />
5 EZAVITAW, 1927.<br />
6 JEZOVITOVS, 1923.<br />
7 JEKABSONS, JEKABSONS, 1996, 35 – 41.<br />
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