Lithuania and Europe: possibilities for reconstructing identity
ENIn 1988-1992, Lithuania brought back to life the national identity models used in the inter-war period. Delivering hidden truths and remembering the deaths of the compatriots in the post-war period contributed to the development of national identity among emigrants and created grounds for national identity to grow into the most important component of the public life. In the post-Sąjūdis period, after the restoration of the country’s independence, the erosion of national identity started; it was accompanied by disappointment in national symbols and gradual disappearance of discussions about the national identity. Social surveys have shown a weakening role of national identity in the ten years of Independence. But in analyzing the essays of the last years, we have discovered attempts to re-think the Lithuanian national identity. The essays by Gintaras Beresnevičius spurred our interest because he has been turning upside down the negative stereotypes about Lithuania and remaking them into components of likely identity. Europe has developed into a space suitable for the Lithuanian identity to unfold. Europe, with all its cultural meanings, has developed into a space of challenge to be taken up. Eventually, Europe has been growing into “something different”, which is most important for building the identity definition. At the same time, it becomes a prerequisite for the unfolding of the new Lithuanian identity. In our analysis, we have underlined the logic of global capitalism, which not only annihilates local cultures but also contributes to building distinctions. All this offers opportunity for the emergence of a new national identity for intellectuals to reconsider.
