The identity of Silesians. Reality or XXth century creation?

Piotr Bujak

University of Opole, Institute of Political Science

Abstract

The identity of Silesians is the subject of extensive research. Political scientists, sociologists and historians often seek its origins. In this article, author will not search for the roots of the Silesian identity but will look at its evolution. Referring to the invigorating hypothesis of „Silesian invented” author makes an attempt to establish a clear division between this what is the historical core of the Silesian identity, and that what was entered in the twentieth century into the Silesian cultural code.

Keywords:

identity, borderland, Upper Silesia, collective memory, invented tradition