From national to territorial identity in Lithuania: social geographic approach

Šiame straipsnyje aptariama tautinė tapatybė ir jos transformacijos į teritorinę tapatybę priežastys. Cituojami ir apibendrinami įvairių tyrėjų darbai apie lietuvių tapatybę, (e)migraciją. Aptariama tautinės tapatybės kaitos problematika. Globalizacijos sąlygomis vis mažiau Lietuvos piliečių tapatinasi su valstybe. Dėl darbingo amžiaus gyventojų, ypač jaunimo, emigracijos kuriasi nauji socialiniai, ekonominiai ir kultūriniai ryšiai, virstantys naujais tapatumais, kurie peržengia Lietuvos valstybės geografines ribas. Tyrime aptariami Klaipėdos universiteto studentų apklausos rezultatai apie jų ketinimus po studijų keisti gyvenamąją vietą. Analizuojamas tapatybės suvokimas, tikimybės ir apsisprendimas likti Lietuvoje ar emigruoti. Nustatyta, kad tapatybės transformacijos į teritorinę tapatybę procesai prasideda dar gyvenant Lietuvoje. Tyrimo rezultatai aptariami socialiniu geografiniu požiūriu.In today’s globalized world, national identity and its transformation becomes an important object of research, most of which are discussing by philosophers, historians, journalists, sociologists, geographers, demographers. The identity or perception of identity is changing constantly. This type of research requires an interdisciplinary approach, an application of spatial and social dimensions in order to analyse the characteristics of identity in evolving economic, political and geopolitical conditions. In today’s Lithuania national identity loses its dependency on state. Especially, the young people begin to identify themselves with the area wherein they intend to reside or have already started a new life (in another city, a region in another country). Often, such an area is not their place of origin. Due to internal migration or emigration to other locations, a new life starts in different natural, economic, cultural and social environment. National identity is getting associated with nationality, but in the meantime national identity is losing its territorial dimension. In geography territorial identity is perceived as a feeling that have a group or community of certain population (individuals) belonging to a given territory. The studies of identity in geography has become a new investigation. It is already known that the dependence on territorial identity is determined not to a physical territory, but to its social environment, economic systems, institutions. The (e)migration of population, especially young people, to other cities, regions, states, the desire is for a better place to live and earn, to live in different social, economic, cultural and natural environment. An intention to change a permanent place of residence wherein working and after completions of studies the students do not see any prospects and feel redundant. Most of them while still in Lithuania tend to identify themselves with other region, country, society, its values and culture. An affinity for a new place is creating a new identity, which undermine their sense of belonging to the state. National identity transforms into a new territorial one. After Klaipėda University student questionnaire survey determined that 156 of the 205 respondents (76.1 percent in total) have the intentions to live elsewhere. The returning of students after completion of their studies for permanent residence in their home areas is unlikely. After completion they would prefer to emigrate to Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Sweden etc. Only every fifth student sees the prospects of his/her life or survival strategy in Lithuania