Minority v subsytéme kultúry

SummarySummarizing the research on national identification, particularly the German identification, it is possible to show the evolutionof the phenomenon and to formulate some general conclusions. National identification in the Opole region has never beenuniform. There has always been a presence of two large national groups – Poles and Germans, and one regional – Silesians interms of identification. National identification were focused on these main groups, and has evolved during the last 20years.In 1988, during the first test we had to deal with identification, as described by A. Kłoskowska, single e.g. integral 258 . Suchidentification could also be defined as: focused. Graphically it can be represented as follows.PolesGermansSilesiansFig. 1 National identification of youths – focused identification (research 1988). Source: Own preparationThe reasons for such a declaration of national identification are to be found in the existing socio-political situation. Duringthe period of real socialism media provided negative information on FRG. This did not create a very positive image of the countryand its citizens. Moreover, in the memory of the older generation of immigrants, there was still a picture of Germany as thereal enemy, and the memory of the damage caused during the war and occupation. This image was transmitted to the younggeneration. During this period, admitting to being a member of a national minority was not well appreciated. When someonedid not admit to being Polish, they were generally classified under the other nationality. Also in sociology, the concept of "borderlandpeople" with labile national attitudes did not play an important role and was not used. Therefore, there was a sharpnational division that reflected in the awareness of the respondents.In 1995, national identifications were varied. It was not possible to place the contributions into the three groups. The mostappropriate way was to present them on a continuum, where the two ends were definite Poles and definite Germans, and in themiddle was Silesian. Among the three groups there were declarations of identifications, approaching the three national groups.These declarations were again influenced by socio-political situation. The period of transition to democracy in Poland was connectedwith the revival of national minorities and minority associations rapidly began being active. Autochthons enrolled inthese associations in order to highlight their identity. They also counted on the financial benefits derived from the Germany. Onthe other hand, they did not want to break the bonds between them and Poland. Therefore national declarations were not asuniform as in the eighties. Graphically, national declarations can be presented as follows .PolesSilesiansGermansFig. 2 National identification of youths – linear identification (research 1995). Source: Own preparationStudies in 2005 and 2008/2009 showed further differentiation of national identification. These were presented in a modelwith distributed identification, which was dominated by two national groups - Polish and Silesian. There are few people whodeclared German nationality. Instead of a pure declaration of a German nationality, youth and adult respondents describedtheir affiliation with Germany in different ways. Affiliation with Poland and also Silesia was highlighted. There was a significant258 KŁOSKOWSKA, A. Konwersja narodowa i narodowe kultury. Studium przypadku. „Kultura i Społeczeństwo” 1992 nr. 4. (ISSN 0033-2437), p. 11.133