The Common Home of the Polish National Minority in Lithuania – the Establishment and Activity of the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius

Abstract

Polish culture that was strongly rooted in Poles living in the Lithuanian state, survived despite many years of unfavourable attitude of the authorities. Importantly, it has not only survived, but even strengthened and continually developed. This development became particularly visible in the 1990s. That was when Lithuania regained independence, which brought a significant improvement in the way the Polish minority shaped its own culture. This contributed to the creation of new Polish organisations, including the construction of the Center of Polish Culture in Vilnius. Even though the construction of the facility raised many concerns from the begin-ning, it was successfully completed. Almost from the very beginning, it became a place for events that attracted crowds of spectators. Commercial activity also began, and the income was used to maintain the building. This Center very quickly
became a place for organising the cultural life of Poles in Vilnius. Its workers cared for the diversity of organised events, trying to reach different age groups, so that everyone could find something for themselves. Thereby, attempts were made not to let the values which had been shaping the national and cultural identity of Poles in Vilnius to be forgotten.