Tożsamość etniczna Polaków na współczesnej Litwie oraz Polska i Polacy w ocenie litewskiej społeczności

ENReview of researches, studies and analyses performed by the Lithuanian Social Research Center on identification of trends, changes of social status and education possibilities for Poles as an ethnic group has shown, which was confirmed by the Center’s scientists’ insights, that ethnicity affects everyday image created by people and the media, as well as the attitude of people. Moreover, it can be stated that – during the last ten years – the social significance of ethnicity did not disappear in the Lithuanian society. Data from the Lithuanian Department of Statistics has shown that Lithuanians make up the majority of society; however, data from the Institute for Ethnic Studies has shown that ethnicity influences interpersonal relationships, and it is reflected in reasoned and unreasoned opinions and attitudes towards specific ethnic groups, including Poles as an ethnic group in this particular case. When speaking about identity, researches have shown that Lithuanian Poles emphasize the ability to speak in the Polish language, the feeling of being a Pole, having Polish ancestors and being a catholic. Larger of Lithuanian Poles identifies themselves with Lithuania and less often with Poland, Baltic region and Europe. During the latter decade, these identification trends have not changed. To sum up the survey data, it can be stated that, although residents' opinion about the Poles significantly worsened/rather worsened in 2011, the social distance researches have shown that absolute majority of residents would agree to live in the neigh-bourhood of Poles. It can be presumed that Lithuanians tend to communicate and maintain mutual relationship with Poles in their daily interaction. [...].