Wspomnienia z życia rodziny Stankiewiczów na Łotwie Sowieckiej

Abstract

Memories about the Stankiewicz Family Life in Soviet Latvia The article provides an account of the history of a family of noble background (bearing the Mogiła coat-of-arms), who had lived in Soviet Latvia for a number of generations. The family was put to test on numerous occasions by various governments. In the Soviet times its members, despite the risk of being considered “enemies of the nation”, kept their personal documents, family photograph albums, letters from Siberia and documents concerning their personal assets. It is the Soviet period that the most painful memories are connected with. The grandparents were considered “kulaks”. The family su´ered from imprisonment, exile to Siberia and continuous persecution, enforced collectivization and abolition of private economy. Like other national minorities and Latvians themselves, Poles living in Latvia experienced the process of russification and sovietization. Âe parents made every e´ort to adapt to the realities of contemporary life. Because they adhered to their Catholic faith, their Polish culture, their native language and parental love they retained their national identity and the sense of connection with their homeland, in which they lived. In 1991, after Latvian independence was proclaimed, the Stankiewicz family – as Poles living in Latvia for generations – did not find it difficult to adapt to the new situation and receive citizenship.

Keywords

• Soviet Latvia
• parental love
• Poles in Latvia
• national identity
• local homeland