Poles and Lithuanians between March 1938 and September 1939, how terra incognita was cognited

Abstract

During the Interwar Period Poland and Lithuania did not maintain diplomatic relations. The border was closed. The isolation enhanced spreading untrue information about the other side, strengthened myths and stereotypes. The diplomatic relations were established only after the Polish ultimatum in March 1938. Then the border was opened. Since that moment Polish and Lithuanian public opinion gained the possibility to verificate the existing information. The press published numerous accounts describing the situation in Lithuania and Poland. Among Polish newspapers the most interested in the topic were: “Słowo” and “Kurier Wileński.” In the Lithuanian press Poland was presented with admiration. However, in reference to the situation in the Vilnius area, Polish government was severely criticized. So far inaccessible Polish films became very popular in the Lithuanian cinemas. In Poland there were countless publications about Lithuania and the translations from the Lithuanian language. Since autumn 1938, owing to the imminent threat from Germany, more and more signs of Polish-Lithuanian political rapprochement appeared. Nevertheless, the alliance was not formed. The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 hindered the progress towards the normalization of the relations.