Deliverable 4.1 Lemko
The Lemko Language: the Ruska Bursa Association
The Lemko language (лемківскій язык) is a core element of the cultural and linguistic identity of the Lemkos, a historically rooted community originating in Lemkovyna (Лемковина), an area stretching across south-eastern Poland, primarily in the Beskid Niski and parts of the Beskid Sądecki. On their ancestral lands, the Lemkos developed a rich cultural life, cultivated their language, and shaped a distinct ethnic identity over centuries.
The Linguistic Landscape of Lemkovyna
Despite its official recognition in Poland as a minority language in 2005, the vitality of Lemko remains seriously endangered. The language’s present situation is largely the result of dramatic 20th-century historical ruptures and subsequent processes of dispersion and assimilation. Particularly traumatic were the forced displacements carried out by the Polish communist authorities after World War II. Between 1944 and 1946, many Lemkos were resettled to Soviet Ukraine, and in 1947, the remaining population was deported to western and northern Poland during Operation Vistula. This dispersion severed the community’s ties to its homeland—the social and cultural foundation of Lemko life—and
fundamentally disrupted intergenerational language transmission.
As a consequence, for several decades the Lemko language survived almost exclusively in private and familial contexts, largely absent from public, educational, and institutional domains. Today, it is classified as an endangered language, used mainly in selected environments and by a limited number of speakers, despite ongoing revitalisation efforts.
The Birth of Ruska Bursa and Its Mission
The Ruska Bursa Association, based in Gorlice, is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving and developing Lemko identity through language, education, culture, and collective memory. The Association operates as an open, intercultural space fostering dialogue, cooperation, and intergenerational exchange. Its work encompasses cultural, educational, scientific, and archival activities, aiming to strengthen the public presence of the Lemko language and culture.
Ruska Bursa pursues its mission through a wide range of initiatives, including publications, media production, cultural events, and community-based activities. These efforts stimulate cultural and social life while reinforcing the value of Lemko as a living language.
Media, Publications, and Cultural Action
One of the Association’s flagship projects is Radio LEM.fm, the first and only 24-hour radio station broadcasting entirely in Lemko. Launched in 2011 as an online station, it later expanded to FM broadcasting in Gorlice (106.6 MHz) and Polkowice (103.8 MHz), while also remaining available via streaming platforms. Alongside its news portal, podcasts, and YouTube channel, Radio LEM.fm provides a permanent space for everyday language use and public visibility.
Publishing is another key domain of action. Ruska Bursa produces books in Lemko— ranging from poetry and prose to essays, monographs, and journalistic works—as well as music recordings that document and support contemporary Lemko creativity. These publications strengthen the presence of Lemko in educational, cultural, and public contexts, while supporting local authors and artists.
These initiatives are complemented by cultural and educational events that promote active language use and facilitate intergenerational transmission. In parallel, the Association engages in advocacy for the rights of the Lemko community, maintaining dialogue with
public institutions, local governments, and broader society. Its archival and documentation work provides essential support for media and publishing activities and contributes to the long-term preservation of Lemko heritage.
Impact on the Linguistic Community
Through its activities, the Ruska Bursa Association ensures the continuous presence of the Lemko language in selected public domains. Radio LEM.fm offers regular contact with Lemko in everyday contexts, while digital media significantly expands access to language
content beyond geographical boundaries. Publishing initiatives enrich the corpus of contemporary Lemko-language materials and supports ongoing cultural production.
By creating opportunities to use Lemko outside the home—in media, culture, education, and social life—the Association strengthens its functional domains and reinforces its symbolic value. These efforts contribute to sustaining the language despite its marginalisation and empowers speakers to engage with Lemko as a living, modern means of expression.
Looking Ahead
Although the Lemko language remains marginal in the wider public sphere, the work of the Ruska Bursa Association has established stable spaces for its use in media, cultural production, and community life. These initiatives enhance linguistic vitality and foster engagement, although reaching younger generations and new speakers continues to be a major challenge.
Future development will depend on sustained cooperation with institutions, active community involvement, and access to external funding. Nevertheless, the core priority remains unchanged: to maintain Lemko in everyday communication, to expand content creation in the language, and to reaffirm its cultural and social importance for present and future generations.
