March of Upper Silesian identity

Third March of Upper Silesian identity June 8th, 2013.

 

Silesia is a region in Central Europe, however it is part of western culture, historically divided into Upper Silesia and Lower Silesia.

After the first war world a small part of Upper Silesia started to pledge allegiance to Poland for the first time in more than 600 years. This part of Upper Silesia had a huge autonomy and could decide almost everything independently.

Between first and second world war in Silesia Silesian parties ran for independence such as Silesian People's Party. Silesian independences became a mass movement with tens of thousands of people. The possibility of independence became apparent. The Commission Interalliée de Gouverment et de Plébiscite de Haute Silésie was debating about the future of Silesia. Activists tried to convince Italy, France and Great Britain members to support the idea of independent country of Upper Silesia. Only France disagreed and so the attempt failed.

Everything changed with the second war world and Yalta Conference. Silesia was divided between three countries: Germany, Poland and Check Republic.

The Communists who took control in these countries didn't accept the Silesian nation. So began difficult years for Silesia. The Polish government abolished by law upper Silesian autonomy, and started to settle new polish peoples and the same time Polonize Silesians peoples. Consequently a lot of them emigrated to Germany. They lost their culture and desire of be part of the Silesian nation. They forgot about it.

Everything changed with the fall of the Berlin wall. Silesian people started to recuperate their culture and nation. A lot of Silesian organizations like Silesian Movement for Autonomy or Ślōnskŏ Ferajna (Silesian association) started to organize marches. The most famous is the march for autonomy, but the Silesian Association organizes also their own march named "March of Upper Silesian identity". It's specifically a Silesian march for self-determination.

Patronage of the march took "Council of the Upper Silesia". The march begins on the 8th June 2013 in Mysłowice-Słupna at 3pm.
What they want?
1. Recognize Upper Silesians as the ethnic minority
2. Recognize the Silesian nationality
3. Recognize the official Silesian language "Ślōnskŏ Gŏdka"
4. Introduce the regional education to the primary school and gymnasiums
5. Introduce Silesian symbolism (the emblem and the flag) next to the polish symbolism in all institutions of public administration and local government
6.The right of Silesian nation to self-determination
Silesian association "Ślōnskŏ Ferajna" is inviting everyone to take a part at III March of Upper Silesian Identity.

"Everyone for whom the Upper Silesia and Silesian's identity is not irrelevant - come with us!"

Martin Grabowsky.