Of the History of Polish Education in Latgallia in the Interwar Period

Abstract

The Polish-Latvian relations and intercultural influences reach the agreement between Poland and Livonia made in 1561, by virtue of which Latgallia was included in Poland. The cultural and educative work in Latgallia was first carried out by Jesuits who established colleges there. The first educative institution of the same rank as to university, a Theological Seminary, was established in Krasław in 1757.

In the end of the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th centuries the territory of Latgallia was under strong russification. As a result of this policy, adopted by Tsarist Russia, Polish education was liquidated. Its restoration took place only after Latvia had gained independence in 1918. Owing to the reform in education each nationality, which inhabited the territory of Latvia, was guaranteed the right to provide education in its mother tongue. The Polish population, numbering approximately 70.000, began to set up their own schools, first in Dyneburg. The shortage of the teaching staff, however, was particularly severe. In the thirties the Union of Poles in Latvia played an important role, making contacts with Poland with a view to exchange teachers and students. The main centres of propagating education and culture were the following: Dyneburg, Rzeczyca, Grzywa, and Krasław.

The interwar 20-year period left a very positive mark in the history of Polish education in Latvia. Aside to the schools of various types and degrees there were established Polish libraries, theatres and cultural and educative associations. The period after the Second World War saw the influence of the Soviet political system, which hampered the development. The processes of restoration have taken place anew since the beginning of the 1990s.