PRESERVATION OF POLISH IDENTITY IN SERBIA: LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND TRADITIONS AS FOUNDATIONS OF ETHNIC HERITAGE

Authors

  • Branislav Sančanin Union – Nikola Tesla University, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Aleksandra Penjišević Union – Nikola Tesla University, Belgrade, Serbia

Keywords:

Polish identity, language, culture, tradition, ethnic heritage

Abstract

The aim of this research is to highlight the importance of identifying and promoting the Polish language, culture, and customs in the Republic of Serbia by emphasizing the unique tangible and intangible cultural heritage and identifying strategic activities that could contribute to the long-term vitality of the language and culture. The study is based on secondary data that address numerous and diverse cultural determinants correlated with the sustainable process of preserving and enhancing vital elements that ensure an adequate interpretation and affirmation of Polish cultural heritage. The Polish diaspora in the Republic of Serbia plays an important role in nurturing and maintaining connections with Polish heritage, primarily through the preservation and promotion of the Polish language, culture, and traditions outside the homeland. The cultural heritage potential of the Polish national community in the Republic of Serbia provides a stable platform for building sustainable socioeconomic and cultural development based on tangible and intangible resources. The research findings and conclusions offer an opportunity to apply and implement innovative and creative solutions in preserving cultural heritage and building a positive image and reputation.

References

Ambasada RP w Belgradzie. (n.d). Polska w Serbii. Available online: https://www.gov.pl/web/serbia/ambasada (Accessed date: November 2, 2025).

Ambasada Republike Poljske u Beogradu. (2023). Poljska osnažuje svoju diplomatsku prisutnost na Balkanu. Available online: https://www.gov.pl/web/srbija/poljska-osnauje-svoju-diplomatsku-priustnost-na-balkanu (Accessed date: November 3, 2025).

Balce, A., & Halili, R. (2020). Poljsko nasleđe. Balkanska baština – Poljski doprinos kulturi, umjetnosti i nauci Zapadnog Balkana. College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw.

Government of the Republic of Croatia. (n.d). Polish national minority. Available online:

https://pravamanjina.gov.hr/nacionalne-manjine/nacionalne-manjine-u-republici-hrvatskoj/poljaci/372 (Accessed date: September 29, 2025).

Hu, J., Feng, X., Zhang, M., & Luo, J. (2019). Study on the Authenticity Perception of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Current Urban Studies, 7(1), 35-58. https://doi.org/10.4236/cus.2019.71003

Jakubek-Głąb, I. (2024). Polish Language Maintenance and Transmission in Finnish Diaspora: A Study of Family Dynamics and Cultural Influences. Languages, 9(12), 374. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9120374

Konach, T. (2023). Intangible cultural heritage projects – nacional policies and strategies. The creation of intangible cultural heritage inventories. Encatc journal of cultural management and policy, 5(1). 67-79. https://doi.org/10.3389/ejcmp.2023.v5iss1-article-6

Kotus, J., Qiu, Q., & Rzeszewski, M. (2025). Different Tastes, Diverse Places, Changed Paths: A Comparative Study of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Reception by Domestic Tourists in Different. Urban Tourism Management Approaches. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5258371

Król, K. (2021). Assessment of the Cultural Heritage Potential in Poland. Sustainability, 13(12), 6637. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126637

Matulewska, A., Mikołajczyk, M. (2021). Historically Conditioned Identity Protection in Poland: A Case Study of Colours as Well as Legal Language Protection and Restitution. In: Wagner, A., Marusek, S. (eds) Flags, Color, and the Legal Narrative. Law and Visual Jurisprudence, vol 1. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32865-8_11

Mazurkevych O., Skoryk A., Antipina I., Goncharova O., Kondratenko I. (2024). The Specifics of Preserving Cultural Identity in the Context of Globalization Processes. Mankind Quarterly, 64(4), 1-14.

Mitrović, Lj. (2005). Controversies over the Destiny of Identity in the Process og Globalisation and Regionalisation of the Balkans. (1-109). Proceedings: Cultural and ethnic identities in the Process of Globalization and Regionalization of the Balkans. Niš: Faculty of Philosophy.

Polish Institute - Cultural Service of the Polish Embassy in Beijing. (n.d.). Polish Culture. Available online: https://instytutpolski.pl/beijing/en/get-to-know-poland/polish-culture/ (Accessed date: October 28, 2025).

Polonia Historia. (2024). Available online: https://www.gov.pl/web/polonia/historia (Accessed date: October 13, 2025).

Portal Polskiego Radia SA. (2023). Poland welcomes UNESCO decision to establish International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Available online: https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7791/artykul/3260815%2Cpoland-welcomes-unesco-decision-to-establish-international-day-of-intangible-cultural-heritage?utm_source=chatgpt .com (Accessed date: September 29, 2025).

Sančanin, B. (2019). Historical Heritage in The Function of Developing Cultural Tourism. The Journal of Middle East and North Africa Sciences, 5(5), 6-12. Jordan: Amman.

Sančanin, B., Perić, G., & Stojiljković, M. (2019). Cultural-historical resources as initiators of tourism development in Sremski Karlovci. Hotel and Tourism Management, 7(2), 77-85. https://doi.org/10.5937/menhottur1902077S

San Martín, H., & Del Bosque, I.A.R. (2008). Exploring the cognitive–affective nature of destination image and the role of psychological factors in its formation. Tourism Management, 29, 263–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/tourman.2007.03.012

Serwis Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (2023). I światowy kongres edukaciji i nauki polskiej za granicą. Available online: https://www.gov.pl/web/crnagora/prvi-svjetski-kongres-poljskog-obrazovanja-i-nauke-u-inostranstvu (Accessed date: October 31, 2025).

Skublewska‑Paszkowska, M., Milosz, M., Powroznik, P., Lukasik, E. (2022). 3D technologies for intangible cultural heritage preservation – literature review for selected databases. Heritage Science, 10(3), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-021-00633-x

Statut Nacionalnog saveta poljske nacionalne manjine. (2018). Available online: https://www.poljaci.org.rs/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Statut-pdf.pdf (Accessed date: October 27, 2025).

Szubert, M., Warcholik, W., & Żemła, M. (2021). The Influence of Elements of Cultural Heritage on the Image of Destinations, Using Four Polish Cities as an Example. Land, 10(7), 671. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10070671

UNESCO. (2024). Network of UNESCO Chairs welcomes a new chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Public and Global Governance. Available online: https://ich.unesco.org/en/news/network-of-unesco-chairs-welcomes-a-new-chair-on-intangible-cultural-heritage-in-public-and-global-governance-13520 (Accessed date: September 11, 2025).

UNESCO. (2023). Elements on the Lists of Intangible Cultural heritage - Polonaise, traditional Polish dance. Available online: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/polonaise-traditional-polish-dance-01982 (Accessed date: October 17, 2025).

UNESCO. (2022). Elements on the Lists of Intangible Cultural heritage – Timber rafting. Available online: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/timber-rafting-01866 (Accessed date: October 22, 2025).

UNESCO. (2021a). Elements on the Lists of Intangible Cultural heritage – Falconry, a living human heritage. Available online: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/falconry-a-living-human-heritage-01708 (Accessed date: October 12, 2025).

UNESCO. (2021b). Elements on the Lists of Intangible Cultural heritage – Flower carpets tradition for Corpus Christi processions. Available online: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/flower-carpets-tradition-for-corpus-christi-processions-01743 Accessed date: October 12, 2025).

UNESCO. (2020). Elements on the Lists of Intangible Cultural heritage – Tree beekeeping culture. Available online: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/tree-beekeeping-culture-01573 (Accessed date: October 10, 2025).

UNESCO. (2019). World Heritage Sites. Available online: https://www.unesco.org/en/world-heritage/list?fq%5 Bsm_unsc_field_ref_countries_label%5D%5B0%5D=Poland (Accessed date: October 13, 2025).

UNESCO. (2018). Elements on the Lists of Intangible Cultural heritage – Nativity scene (szopka) tradition in Krakow. Available online: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/nativity-scene-szopka-tradition-in-krakow-01362 (Accessed date: October 10, 2025).

Vojska.net, (n.d). Population of Croatia 1931-2001. Available online: http://www.vojska.net/eng/armed-forces/cro atia/about/population/ (Accessed date: November 2, 2025).

QLT Travel Club. (n.d.). Kulturno nasleđe Poljske – Umetnost i tradicija. Available online: https://qlttravel.com/kulturno-naslede-poljske-umetnost-i-tradicija/ (Accessed date: November 3, 2025).

Yahaya, A. (2006). The Scope and Definitions of Heritage: From Tangible to Intangible. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 12(3), 292-300. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13527250600604639

Żmudzińska-Nowak, M. (2021). Heritage as a Palimpsest of Valued Cultural Assets on the Problems of Frontier Land Architectural Heritage in Turbulent Times. Example of Poland’s Upper Silesia, International Journal of Conservation Science, 12(4), 1267-1288.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-14

How to Cite

Sančanin, B., & Penjišević, A. (2025). PRESERVATION OF POLISH IDENTITY IN SERBIA: LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND TRADITIONS AS FOUNDATIONS OF ETHNIC HERITAGE. KNOWLEDGE - International Journal , 73(5), 917–922. Retrieved from https://ojs.ikm.mk/index.php/kij/article/view/7983

Most read articles by the same author(s)