The Role of the Kresy Discourse in Constructing the Contemporary Identity of Poles in Lithuania

The consequence of establishing new Polish state borders after the Second World War was mass resettlement citizens pre-war Republic (II Rzeczpospolita) from so-called Kresy – now newly established Lithuanian, Belarusian and Ukrainian republics Soviet Union to People’s (Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa). 240,000 Poles, who left Lithuanian Socialist as part post-war resettlement, were only a group over 1.4 million people resettled ‘new Poland’. With extraordinary strength, they revived 19th century myth one most important national myths which soon became an inseparable discourse main element identity policy towards Poles stayed in Kresy. This article is attempt answer following question: What meaning role played by myth/discourse constructing contemporary living South-eastern Lithuania on territory these mythical Kresy? based series interviews with representatives governmental non-governmental organisations operating for Kresy, well analysis content websites project offer addressed Lithuania.