Rola Muzeum Ziemi Sejneńskiej w realizacji edukacji międzykulturowej

Abstract

In the early Middle Ages the Sejny Land was occupied by the tribes of Yotvingians. After the fall of Yotvingia in the 13th century, the “settlement desolation” came about. The start of the new settlement on the Sejny Land began in 1522. As the years passed, the population of Poles, Lithuanians, Russians, Jews, Tatars and Germans settled in this place. Nowadays, the Sejny Land is inhabited by Polish, Lithuanian and Old Believers–Russian descendants. These above-mentioned nationalities left some kind of cultural heritage, which is still transmitted. Tradition, customs, religion and language are handed down from one generation to another. The Museum of the Sejny Land offers a rich collection of this cultural heritage in which nationality division is deeply covered. The museum has a lot of interesting exhibits selected for individual exhibitions which, along with the activity of this institution, are used in regional and multicultural education. Educational actions are realized by the “museum pedagogy” and “museum education”. It creates a lot of possibilities for multinational appointments, which enable people mutual knowing of different cultures. These initiatives emphasize the rank of the museum and its role in the educational system.