Activity of national minority on local level – a case study of Poles in Šalčininkai municipality in Lithuania

W artykule omówiono liczebność i rozmieszczenie skupisk mniejszości polskiej w Republice Litewskiej ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem Polaków w Solecznikach, w świetle wyników spisu powszechnego z 2011 roku. W opracowaniu ukazano również działalność głównych organizacji politycznych i społecznych oraz szkół mniejszości polskiej w rejonie solecznickim. W badaniach wykorzystano socjologiczną metodę wywiadów pogłębionych z liderami organizacji polskich.Poles are the largest national minority in Lithuania. In contemporary Šalčininkai municipality Polish national minority has a very strong position. According to 2011 data census, more than 77% of population inhabited Šalčininkai municipality that are Poles. The main aim of the paper is to show how national minority can affect on the situation in the municipality. Poles, who are very active in this region, have got many Polish organizations which support development of Polish culture and traditions. Moreover, in 2013 in the district worked 19 schools organizing education for children and youth who belong to the Polish national minority. Also Polish political party – Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania (AWPL) is very active in Šalčininkai municipality. The party permanently governs in the municipality since many years. It is worth mentioning that Poles are the most conflicted national minority in Lithuania. Many problems of Polish minority in Lithuania are exaggerated by the media or Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania and used for political propaganda, but some problems exist objectively. All generals problems affect on the situation of Poles in Šalčininkai municipality