Abstract
Locations and spaces possess socio-cultural connotations, which is why they play a significant role in the processes of experiencing and cultural (self-)identification. That is because in the conditions specific for them and in relation to the symbolic attributes, an individual conceptualizes their own rationality, and on its basis their interpretative perspective, thanks to which, through participation in meaningful locations, they (self-)identify culturally. Roots, connection, and identification within a meaningful location constitute, therefore, significant creators of individual identification and the creation of a community. The meaningful location, in the above context, is the Vilnius region, identified by its inhabitants – young Poles – as a meaningful location: a little homeland. Taking into account its specific attributes, one might consider the faces of the Vilnius region: the physical, the mental, and the interactive-communicative ones. There are cultural differences in each of them, which assign the location a certain multicultural and intercultural specificity. As a result, the participation of young Poles in the location results in a multidimensional experiencing (cognitive, emotional, and action-related) of affirmative character, decisive in the formation of their cultural (self-)identification. On the basis of conducted empirical research, three fundamental scopes of the (self-)identification can be defined: the national, the socio-cultural, and the intercultural ones. Young Poles have a significant potential in the area of the formation of a multi-range and multidimensional identity of a borderland, as well as the construction of a community at the point of contact of cultures, citizenships, and multiculturality perceived as a factor in the development of the culture of peace. All of these factors constitute an important reference for education.
Highlights
Locations and spaces possess socio-cultural connotations, which is why they play a significant role in the processes of experiencing and culturalidentification
A location which may be perceived as a homeland, family home, heritage of one’s ancestors, a little homeland, or, what is significant, it may be perceived from the perspective of its multicultural and intercultural specificity at the same time
What is significant is that the space in which they believe the permeation of Polish and Lithuanian identities takes place is the Vilnius cultural borderland, which they treat as a little homeland
Summary
The Vilnius region is historically and traditionally generated as a cultural borderland in which individual biographies as well as stories of community have taken place. (Self-)identification can, be understood as a process thanks to which an individual forms their identity and perceives a culturally diverse location, conceptualising their own interpretative perspective, placing it, in a manner specific to it, at the point of contact of cultures, contributing simultaneously to the protection and the development of the culture of this location understood in the categories of a little homeland. The third face of the Vilnius region may be related to the interactive-communicative plane, exposing the relations between the nationally diverse individuals and groups inhabiting the area and expressing the way of the perception of socio-cultural reality at the location, its conceptualisation and the attributed meanings. The actions of individuals define the objects of relation and the internalisation of their contents and meanings It defines, its specific area of socio-cultural (self-)identification. The sides organise the process of the cultural (self-)identification of the point of contact of cultures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
