Jan Ciechanowicz
Encyclopedia
Jan Ciechanowicz; born 2 July 1946 in Worniany) is a politician of the Polish minority in Lithuania. He was one of the couple of ethnic Polish deputies of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (1989–1991).
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In 1975 he became a docent at the University of Vilnius, later becaming the dean of the faculty of Polish at the Vilnius Pedagogical University
(1988–1989). In 1988, Ciechanowicz was one of the founders of the Association of Poles in Lithuania
. In 1989, he was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Ciechanowicz represented pro-Soviet positions, supporting the continuation of the USSR. He was one of the supporters of the autonomy movement of the Poles of the Vilnius/Wilno region, that had been part of Poland
before being attached to Lithuania in 1939.
The autonomous Polski Kraj Narodowo-Terytorialny (Polish National-Territorial Region
) was established on 6 September 1990 in areas, where Poles formed the majority. The Lithuanian government declared the formation of a Polish autonomous district in Lithuania unconstitutional. At that time, the formation of a Republic of East Poland (Republika Wschodniej Polski) was also seriously discussed, with tacit support from Moscow. After the August Coup of the Soviet hardliners had failed, the Lithuanian authorities suspended the local councils that had sought autonomy or secession from Lithuania.
In 1994, Jan Ciechanowicz moved to Poland
, where he has taught German and English at institutions of higher education.
Biography
Jan Ciechanowicz was born in the former Wilno region, then Belarusian SSR. He studied at the Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages in Minsk (1964–1970). He proceeded to earn a doctor's degree. He then worked as a teacher of German and English in Polish schools in the Lithuanian SSRLithuanian SSR
The Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Lithuanian SSR, was one of the republics that made up the former Soviet Union...
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In 1975 he became a docent at the University of Vilnius, later becaming the dean of the faculty of Polish at the Vilnius Pedagogical University
Vilnius Pedagogical University
Vilnius Pedagogical University is a university in Vilnius, Lithuania, which specializes in preparing school teachers and other educators. As of 2007 it had approximately 12,500 students.-History:...
(1988–1989). In 1988, Ciechanowicz was one of the founders of the Association of Poles in Lithuania
Association of Poles in Lithuania
The Association of Poles in Lithuania is an organization formed in 1989 to bring together members of Polish minority in Lithuania. It numbers between 6,000 to 11,000 members. It defends the civil rights of the Polish minority and engages in educational, cultural and economic activities...
. In 1989, he was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Ciechanowicz represented pro-Soviet positions, supporting the continuation of the USSR. He was one of the supporters of the autonomy movement of the Poles of the Vilnius/Wilno region, that had been part of Poland
Kresy
The Polish term Kresy refers to a land considered by Poles as historical eastern provinces of their country. Today, it makes western Ukraine, western Belarus, as well as eastern Lithuania, with such major cities, as Lviv, Vilnius, and Hrodna. This territory belonged to the Polish-Lithuanian...
before being attached to Lithuania in 1939.
The autonomous Polski Kraj Narodowo-Terytorialny (Polish National-Territorial Region
Polish National-Territorial Region
The Polish National-Territorial Region was an autonomous region in Lithuania, self-proclaimed by the local Poles on 6 September 1990. The region included areas surrounding Vilnius , capital of Lithuania, where Poles formed the majority...
) was established on 6 September 1990 in areas, where Poles formed the majority. The Lithuanian government declared the formation of a Polish autonomous district in Lithuania unconstitutional. At that time, the formation of a Republic of East Poland (Republika Wschodniej Polski) was also seriously discussed, with tacit support from Moscow. After the August Coup of the Soviet hardliners had failed, the Lithuanian authorities suspended the local councils that had sought autonomy or secession from Lithuania.
In 1994, Jan Ciechanowicz moved to Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, where he has taught German and English at institutions of higher education.