Amateurish Artistic movement of Polonia in Europe

Abstract

The Amateurish Artistic Movement is on of the most important elements of participation /either active or passive/ in the culture of Polonia. It constitutes the basis for creating new cultural values and maintaining the Polish tradition both in the life of Polonia as a whole and in particular local communities. The amateurish movement has recently become a characteristic cultural phenomenon covering all basic spheres of culture.

The movement clearly confirms the existence of cultural pluralism within Polonia. It consists in the participation in the culture of the country of settlement with a simultaneous maintenance of a distinct cultural character of the country of origin. Thus, the movement approves of all cultural activities of the Polish communities, formal groups in particular; it also supports the local cultural centres. The movement is active in the three following spheres: 1. maintaining the ethnic links of the group, 2. maintaining and creating the tradition and the contemporary Polish culture, 3. satisfying the need for cultural activity.

The movement creats its own artistic works or recreats the existing pieces of art /theatre, music, verse-reading, singing/.

The membres of the movement usually have several motives for their activity /e.g. expression, instrumental utility, ethnic links, social activity, group activity, self-realization, compensation/. The amateurish movement consists of:

1. verbal-musical activities /choirs, song and dance groups, instrumental vocal groups/,
   2. theatre activities /drama groups, one actor theatres, declamatory groups, cabarets, puppet thetres/,
   3. orchestra activités /folk music groups, instrumental groups, orchestras/,
   4. creative activities /literature and arts/.

The movement is engaged in its basic activities /meetings, rehearsals, shows, conferences, festivals, radio and TV shows/, and internal activities /evening parties, trips, national celebrations/.

The amateurish movement cares about the cultural continuity, recruits new activists, popularizes contemporary cultural achievements of Poland.