Vilnija

Vilnija is a Lithuanian political organization, considered to be extremist^[1][2][3] and nationalist.^[4][5][6][7]

History and policies

The organization was formed in 1988, in the LSSR, by Lithuanian nationalists and communists^[8] and its primary aim was the Lithuanization^[9] 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 token Polish organization, the Association of St. Zita (Stowarzyszenie Św. Zyty).^[5] The organization was created by Romualdas Ozolas^[3] and has been led for many years by Kazimieras Garšva.^[2][7][10] Its program, elaborated in a monograph by Garšva,^[11] 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.^[9] 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.^[9] The organization's goal is also to counter perceived growing Polish influence in Lithuania, which Vilnija sees as a threat to that nation.^[9]

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 Lithuanian Nazi-sponsored collaborationist police force that operated from 1941 to 1944),^[12] accused of extermination of Jews and collaboration with the Nazis during the Second World War.^[1] Vilnija has been seen by Polish government and media to often organize or support anti-Polish actions^[3][5][10] and the academic works of its leader, the philologist Kazimieras Garšva, have been very negatively received by Polish government,^[13][14] media,^[15][16][17] and on occasion criticized by the Lithuanian government as well.^[18]

Specific controversies

Vilnija takes an interest in the political situation of the Lithuanians of the Vilnius region. 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.^[19] 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.^[20]

Vilnija often voices concern about the situation of Lithuanian schools in the areas of Polish minority.^[21][22] According to Vilnija, the local government propagates Polish schools at the expense of Lithuanian schools.^[21][22]

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.^[23]

Members and supporters

Prominent members and supporters of the organization include its long-time leader, Kazimieras Garšva,^[24] Seimas deputy and organization's founder Romualdas Ozolas,^[3] and writer Izidorius Šimelionis.^[25]

Notes and references