Lemko Emigration in the Interwar Period: Causes, Main Communities, Cultural Activities

The purpose of the article is to study the causes and directions of the Lemko’s emigration in the interwar period, to clarify the cultural and educational work of the activists in the countries, the Lemko community settled the most, on the basis of the “Nash Lemko” and “Lemko” newspapers. The research methodology is based on the combination of scientific research principles (historicism and objectivity) and methods (philosophical, general scientific and special-historical), being usual for works on the historical science. Of particularly significance are the methods of source study analysis (at the stage of collection and critique of empirical material), as well as comparative and typological methods (at reconstructive and narrative stages). The scientific novelty of the article is its attempt to comprehensively reconstruct the causes, directions and cultural and educational life of the Lemko emigration in the interwar period based on the materials of the “Nash Lemko” and “Lemko” newspapers. As a result of the study, it has been proved that most Ruthenian newspapers have written about the causes and destinations of emigration, as well as have covered the life of the Lemko Diaspora in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, Peru and others. These media explored the social and cultural-educational life of the foreign Ruthenians: cultural institutions, concerts, exhibitions and radio programs. Along with the successes of the community, the Lemko publications did not hide the difficulties of emigration life caused by the disunity and disorganization of the Lemko community abroad. The article finds out that all Lemko publications, regardless of ideological orientation, were grateful to the emigration for its financial assistance to the region. At the same time, the Ruthenian publicists noted the considerable damage of the long-term outflow of the most active population. Therefore, the Lemko newspapers launched a powerful anti-immigration propaganda campaign. They nurtured an active attitude to life in the Ruthenian environment, persuaded the Lemkos to become entrepreneurs and confident owners of their native lands. The article concludes that the active and united discussion of emigration issues by Lemko periodicals contributed to the unification of the Ruthenians both in exile and at home.