Polish Youth Music Groups in the Vilnius Region. Generational Rebellion or Manifestation of Patriotism?

Poles in the Republic of Lithuania are the best organized Polish minority abroad. They are represented at various levels of government, in the media, organizations, and there is an extensive system of education in their mother tongue. The cultural sphere is an important area of their activity. It is mainly focused on folklore. At the same time, there has appeared a number of youth groups performing various styles of music and functioning on the Lithuanian music market, which is, however, marginally covered in the press. Their work does not principally refer to the problems of the life of the Polish community, and it sometimes expresses critical content. However, these performers introduce the Polish language to a wide cultural circulation and strive for a slightly different shape of relations with the Lithuanian majority than the older generations perceive it. They also contribute to the integration of youth communities. Undoubtedly, the generational rebellion, which was often noticeable in the activities of the Polish musicians of young generation, was a response to the challenges of adulthood and, at the same time, constituted a form of patriotism.