The History of the Museum of Lemko Culture in Zyndranowa and Its Role in Preserving and Promoting Lemko Culture

Abstract

After World War II, the Lemko population was deported from their homeland to Poland by communist authorities. Material traces of their culture were left behind exposed to intentional and unintentional devastation. Some Lemko activists could not agree with the state of affairs and decided to prevent it. To this end, they set up a museum in an abandoned Lemko farm in the village of Zyndranowa. In the beginning, it was called the Hall of Lemko Culture Memorabilia but the name was later changed to the Museum of Lemko Culture. Their activity encountered difficulties from the communist authorities, particularly the local ones, who aimed to liquidate the museum. Among the main obstacles to achieving their goal were that the museum belonged to Teodor Gocz and the Lemko activists were determined to save the material traces of Lemko culture. The transformation of the Polish political system into a democratic one meant better times for the Lemko museum though it still faced problems to obtain money for its ongoing activity and overcome the reluctance of the local authorities and other museums. Nevertheless, the Museum of Lemko Culture has developed into an open-air museum and constitutes a connecting link between the deported Lemkos and their descendants with their old homeland.