Lemko Studies

The Lemko are a small band of East Slavic highlanders who for centuries have inhabited the northern slopes of the Carpathian Mountains. Unable to control their political fate, these folk have spent their entire history under foreign rule and divided among competing ideologies. After World War II, the Lemko were forcibly resettled across the Ukraine and western and northern territories of Poland. Nevertheless, they continue to utilize vernacular speech and practice the rich cultural traditions of their ancestors. The story of the Lemkos and their remarkable ethnic survival is relayed in this book, the first comprehensive reference on this group and their region. Featuring more than 5,000 bibliographic citations, the volume describes the geology, geography, flora, fauna, and climate of the Lemko region. It discusses access to materials and resources, and recounts in detail the history, industry, religion, language, education, literature, and culture of this enduring society. The book concludes with an analysis of the Lemko's current political and cultural situation.