USLemko
1 Dec 2009
Genealogy / Where are the Lemkos now? Do they still exist in Poland? [32]
Most of the Lemkos now reside in western Poland, where they were forcibly resetted in 1947 during the military operation known as the Vistula Operation (Akcja Visla). They are scattered throughout the towns and villages of western Poland. But there is a major concentration in and around Wroclaw and the Lemko cultural center of Legnica.
Every August, the Lemkos in this area hold a Vatra (traditional mountain bonfire festival) in the village of Michalowce, which Lemkos from all over Poland and other countries travel to attend. The Lemkos who sponsor this Vatra do NOT consider themselves to be Ukrainian.
However, since the 1950s, about 10-20% of the Lemkos have returned to their homeland, which runs along the slopes of the Carpathian Mountains in southeastern Poland (referred to as the Lemko Region or Lemkovyna.) They are scattered in villages and towns from just east of the Tatras all the way to Sanok, with a number residing in the Bieszczady. The major Lemko cultural centers are in Krynica and Gorlice. There is a wonderful Lemko Museum in Zyndranowa (near the Dukla Pass).
Every July, a Lemko Vatra is held above the village of Zdynia, which is also widely attended by Lemkos from Poland and Ukraine. This vatra is sponsored by those Lemkos who consider themselves to be of Ukrainian origin. But this is another story.
Most of the Lemkos now reside in western Poland, where they were forcibly resetted in 1947 during the military operation known as the Vistula Operation (Akcja Visla). They are scattered throughout the towns and villages of western Poland. But there is a major concentration in and around Wroclaw and the Lemko cultural center of Legnica.
Every August, the Lemkos in this area hold a Vatra (traditional mountain bonfire festival) in the village of Michalowce, which Lemkos from all over Poland and other countries travel to attend. The Lemkos who sponsor this Vatra do NOT consider themselves to be Ukrainian.
However, since the 1950s, about 10-20% of the Lemkos have returned to their homeland, which runs along the slopes of the Carpathian Mountains in southeastern Poland (referred to as the Lemko Region or Lemkovyna.) They are scattered in villages and towns from just east of the Tatras all the way to Sanok, with a number residing in the Bieszczady. The major Lemko cultural centers are in Krynica and Gorlice. There is a wonderful Lemko Museum in Zyndranowa (near the Dukla Pass).
Every July, a Lemko Vatra is held above the village of Zdynia, which is also widely attended by Lemkos from Poland and Ukraine. This vatra is sponsored by those Lemkos who consider themselves to be of Ukrainian origin. But this is another story.