Małopolska: Making Tradition Work

Abstract

Małopolska is perceived nowadays as one of the few regions in Poland that could be characterised in terms of a distinctive culture and historically determined regional identity. This regional identity, it is commonly believed, is constituted by three basic features. Firstly, a relatively homogeneous social and economic matrix, integrated by an absence of large-scale migration, without religious and ethnic differentiation or developmental inequalities, and strengthened by solid family and local ties. Secondly, a set of attitudes and values such as attachment to tradition, a spirit of entrepreneurship, religiosity, and anti-communism, together constituting a specific conservative syndrome. Thirdly, the metropolitan character of Kraków, a dominant cultural heritage centre of regional, national, and international significance. Historic Małopolska is a relatively homogeneous social and economical territory which is symbolically integrated around Kraków, its centre.

The author is deeply grateful to Grzesiek Pożarlik, for his assistance in preparation of presented chapter and to Melanie Tatur, without whose substantial support this article would probably not have appeared.