Miglė Eleonora Černikovaitė, Žaneta Karazijienė: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DISSEMINATING CULTURAL HERITAGE IN SHAPING SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL IDENTITY: A STUDY ON LITHUANIAN MINORITIES
Original Paper
Miglė Eleonora Černikovaitė, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania
Žaneta Karazijienė, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59014/POPO5210
Keywords:
cultural heritage, mass media, national community, national minorities, sustainable national identity
Abstract
National identity can be defined by how individuals perceive themselves and what
they consider important when presenting themselves to others. In Lithuania, national
communities face different attitudes towards their national identity. To preserve
a sustainable national identity, it is crucial to pass on the testimony of its daily
existence, which is its cultural heritage. Cultural heritage serves as a memory bank
that embodies the essence of cultural identity and plays a significant role in nation
building. This research aims to explore the elements of cultural heritage that are
crucial for Lithuanian minority cultures (Karaites and Tatars) in defining their national
identity in a multicultural environment and compare them with the frames
created by the media. The research utilizes qualitative content analysis methods with
a mixed instrument approach. Online media data was analyzed to identify the characteristics
of cultural heritage and the media’s position. Framing theory was used to
examine the results of the content analysis, which focuses on interpretation schemes
used by individuals or media. The analysis shows that the Lithuanian media portrays
national minority cultural heritage in a positive light. However, the national identity
of national minorities is primarily characterized by three frames: traditional cuisine,
language and traditions, collective memory and shared history. Semi structured interviews
were conducted with members of national minorities to explore the factors
contributing to a sustainable national identity. The interviews revealed that national
minority identity is influenced by factors beyond the three frames highlighted in the
media. Through the comparative analysis, it became evident that the media does not
accurately portrait the national identity of the national minorities (Karaites and Tatars)
in Lithuania. Instead, it selectively emphasizes specific cultural elements while
downplaying others.
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