The Lemko Project : Project Flyer

The Lemko Project (TM) seeks to preserve the oral histories and artifacts of the Lemko people and to explore the post-World War II experience, including the expulsion campaigns that resulted in the destruction of their settlements in Southeast Poland.

Family from Koroleva Ruska in the Western Lemko Region

In order to obtain and preserve firsthand perspectives of the events, our research team is conducting extensive fieldwork, including recorded interviews with eyewitnesses in North America, Ukraine and Poland. The research team is seeking individuals to participate in the study who meet one or more of the following criteria:

(1.) Lemkos who recall life in their villages before or during World War II;

(2.) Lemkos who experienced the post-World War II expulsions from their homeland, and who were resettled in either Soviet Ukraine from 1945-1946, or in Western Poland (former German territories) in 1947 (Operation Vistula/Akcja Wisla.);

(3.) Lemkos who were subjected to forced labor in Nazi Germany during World War II, and were displaced in Allied-occupied Germany during the time of the expulsions in the Lemko region (and became separated from their relatives as a result);

(4.) Former members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) who witnessed or had knowledge of the expulsion operations affecting Lemkos;

(5.) Polish civilians who lived in the Lemko region at the time of the expulsions and bore witness to these events; and

(6.) Others with relevant, first-hand information about the events.

In addition to locating and interviewing subject participants, the research team is interested in procuring the following types of documents and artifacts:

(1.) Photographs (originals or reproductions) from the Lemko region, especially prior to Operation Vistula (“Akcja Wisla” 1947);

(2.) Letters between expelled Lemkos and their relatives in North America or elsewhere;

(3.) Lemko clothing and costumes (original and artisan reproductions); and

(4.) Other Lemko artifacts, such as rare literature, paintings, carvings, etc.

The research project will be ongoing throughout 2012. Original artifacts or documents donated to the project will be given to the Lemko Museum in Stamford, Connecticut (with permission from the donor.)

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Project Flyer

The Lemko Project (TM) seeks to preserve the oral histories and artifacts of the Lemko people and to explore the post-World War II experience, including the expulsion campaigns that resulted in the destruction of their settlements in Southeast Poland.