Adam Mickiewicz: A Polish Romantic Poet with a Lithuanian Heart

Adam Mickiewicz, often hailed as one of Poland's national bards, was born in a region that was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. His birthplace, what is now Belarus, and his multilingual heritage have often sparked discussions about his identity. This article explores Mickiewicz's connection to both Polish and Lithuanian cultures and his primary identification as a Polish national poet.

Complex Heritage, Simple Identity

Mickiewicz was born on December 24, 1798, in a region that is now part of Belarus but was then known as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. His heritage reflects the complex history of the region; he had roots in both Polish and Lithuanian cultures. However, despite this multilayered background, he is primarily identified as Polish. Mickiewicz spoke Polish, wrote in Polish, and considered himself Polish, even though he was born on the territory that is now Lithuanian.

Themes of Polish Nationalism and Identity

Mickiewicz's works often explore themes of Polish nationalism and identity, which further solidifies his association with Polish literature and culture. In his most famous work, 'Lithuania, My Motherland...', he evoked a sense of kinship and pride in his home region, viewing it as an integral part of Poland, not an independent state. This perspective reflects the complex identity of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the fluid nature of national and cultural boundaries during that period.

Multilingualism and Social Mobility

Multilingualism was common in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and Polish was the language of social mobility. Adam Mickiewicz spent more of his life in the territory of present-day Lithuania than in what is now Poland, and some researchers believe that he understood Lithuanian. His complex linguistic background highlights the importance of multilingualism in the region and the limitations of language in defining national identity.

Post-19th Century Identity Shifts

After the partitions of Poland and the fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the situation changed. In the late 19th century, some nobles who spoke only Polish started learning Lithuanian and writing in it. This period was marked by a growing sense of Lithuanian national identity. For example, Gabriela Petkevicaite-Bite, better known as Gabriele Pietkiewicz, started schools that taught Lithuanian. The brother of the first president of Poland, Stanislaw Narutowicz, was a signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania in 1918. Jonas Jablonskis, often referred to as the 'father' of modern Lithuanian grammar, grew up largely speaking Polish. The wife of Lithuanian president Antanas Smetona was from the Chodakowski noble family.

These examples illustrate that even as the language of the country shifted, the nobility remained largely the same. However, the times were different, and Lithuanians were wary of nationalistic politicians in Poland, such as Roman Dmowski, who marginalized smaller nations like Kresy (the Polish region that is now part of Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania).

Comparisons to Other Scottish and Irish Contexts

One might wonder if the situation with Scotland and England or Ireland and England is similar. Just as A. Smith, an economist from Scotland, could be called an English economist because he wrote in English, could Adam Mickiewicz be considered a Lithuanian poet because he wrote about Lithuania? The answer is a nuanced one. Mickiewicz identified himself as 'the Old Lithuanian,' referring to 'Old Lithuania,' which is the pre-Spring of Nations Lithuania. This Old Lithuania is very closely related to present-day Poland, but it is not Poland. It is a region with a distinct cultural identity that was part of a larger Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Ultimately, Adam Mickiewicz's identity as a Polish Romantic poet is rooted in his lifelong commitment to Poland, its culture, and its people, even though his upbringing and cultural influences were diverse. His works continue to be celebrated as a testament to the enduring spirit of Polish national identity and the complex heritage of the region he came from.