Vilnija

The organization was formed in 1988, by Lithuanian cultural and Sąjūdis activists and its primary aim was the cherishing of Lithuanian language and culture in Vilnius region. The organization is mostly composed of ethnic Lithuanians although it was later joined by a token Polish organization, the Association of St. Zita (Stowarzyszenie Św. Zyty).[6] The organization was created by Romualdas Ozolas and has been led for many years by Kazimieras Garšva.[3][8][9] Its program, elaborated in a monograph by Garšva,[10] is based on the research that the big part of the Polish minority in Lithuania are in fact Polonized Lithuanians and that their true identity had been erased by years of foreign occupation.[11] To counter such situation, the organization proposed that they should be brought back to their Lithuanian roots by removing any trace of alien (that is, Polish or Russian) textbooks, teachers, symbols and traditions.[11] The organization's goal is also to counter perceived growing Polish influence in Lithuania, which Vilnija sees as a threat to that nation.[11]

Vilnija has been seen by Polish government and media to often organize or support anti-Polish actions[4][6][9] and the academic works of its leader, the philologist Kazimieras Garšva, have been very negatively received by Polish government,[12][13] media,[14][15][16] and on occasion criticized by the Lithuanian government as well.[17]

Vilnija takes an interest in the political situation of the Lithuanians of the Vilnius region. It is critical of the Election Action of Lithuania's Poles party, which it claims discourages the assimilation of the national minorities of Lithuania and constantly tries to present the Polish minority as prosecuted.[18] Valdemar Tomaševski, the leader of EAPL, descrives Vilnia as nationalistic.[19][20]

Vilnija often voices concern about the situation of Lithuanian schools in the areas of Polish minority.[21][22] According to Vilnija, the local government propagates Polish schools at the expense of Lithuanian schools.[21][22] Vilnija is also active in the campaign against allowing members of Polish minority in Lithuania to be able to spell their names with a Polish alphabet in official documents.[23]

Prominent members and supporters of the organization include its long-time leader, Kazimieras Garšva,[24] Seimas deputy and organization's founder Romualdas Ozolas,[4] and writer Izidorius Šimelionis.[25] In 2016 Kazimieras Garšva was presented with the Cross of the Knight of the Order for Merits to Lithuania.[26] Lithuanian linguist-historian Zigmas Zinkevičius was also supporter of Vilnija.[27]