1. Kashubs – history, language, identity.

2. Location of the Land of Kashubs in Europe

3. From the sixth century AD Kashubs inhabit the land on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea.

4. The historical boundaries of Kashubia

5. Vorpommern in the west and the to the river Notec in the south.
Kashubs' homeland spaned almost across entire Pomerania - From the lower reaches of the Vistula river in the east, as far as today's German
Vorpommern in the west and the to the river Notec in the south.
The Map of Kashubia according to G. Labuda

6. Kashubs between Germans and Poles

7. The processes accompanying development of the state and nation-building activities in Kashubia, in the past, as well
as in the present, are determined by a close proximity to strong German and Polish influence. West-Pomeranian State with its capital in Szczecin has survived from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century. On the other hand, East-Pomeranian with its capital in Gdansk enjoyed independence just one century – XIII.
Swiãtopôłk's Monument

8. Ethnic boundaries of today's Kashubia

9. After the administrative reform carried out in Poland in 1999, the current ethnic Kashubia found itself within Pomeranian voivodeship. Kashubs inhabit 9 districts/counties (Pùck,
Wejrowò, Kòscérzna, Lãbórg, Stôłpskò, Bëtowò, Człëchòwò, Chònice and Kartuzë) and the city of Gduńsk, Gdiniô, Sopòt and Stôłpskò.
The map of the current ethnic boundaries

10. Kashubian population
? or ?

11. According to sociologists' studies beginning from 1989 Kashubian population reaches the number of 500 thousand people. However, in the census of 2011 Kashubian identity was declared by 233 thousand people.

12. Kashubian emigration

13. It is estimated that about 300 000 Kashubs lives abroad
It is estimated that about Kashubs lives abroad. Mainly in Canada, USA, Germany and the UK.
Photo Kashubs from Canada

14. Economy

15. Kashubian traditional occupations are farming and fishing
Kashubian traditional occupations are farming and fishing. Tourism also plays an important role in local business. Small and medium enterprises are rapidly growing too.

16. Famous Kashubs

17. Eric of Pomerania Paul Nipkow Guenter Grass
King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden Inventor Author, Noble Prize winner
Gerard Labuda Donald Tusk Danuta Stenka
Historian European Council President Actress

18. Florión Cenôwa (Florian Ceynowa) 1817-1881

19. Father of Kashubian national revival
Father of Kashubian national revival. The creator of the Kashubian alphabet and author of the first grammar of the Kashubian language.
Photo F. Ceynowa

20. Kashubian language

21. Kashubian language is being spoken today by between thousand people. In the census of people declared to use the Kashubian language every day
Table from the book by A. Majewicz

22. Education

23. school year it is approx. 18 thousand students.
Kashubian language has been taught in the public schools since State allocates funds from the budget, providing educational subsidies to the local governments. Currently 670 teachers teaches our language, history, culture and geography three hours per week. Kashubian language is not a compulsory subject. In / 2015
school year it is approx. 18 thousand students.
Here some photos of kids in the classroom

24. Kashubian Ethnophilology

25. In the academic year 2014/2015 for the first time in the history 14 students began university level studies on Kashubian Ethnophilology at the University of Gdansk. Future teachers, journalists and culture animators are studying there.
Photo University of Gdansk

26. Coat of arms, flag and Kashubian national anthem

27. Kashubian coat of arms is black griffin (half lion, half eagle) on the gold background. Black-and-gold flag takes the colours from the coat of arms. The words of the Kashubian national anthem talk about Kashubs' attachment to their land, language and traditions.
Kashubian flag
Kashubian coat of arms

29. The legal status of Kashubs in Poland

30. In the Act regarding National and Ethnic Minorities and Regional Language of 6 January 2005 Kashubs were referred to as "community using the regional language." For this, Polish legislation specifically introduced the term "regional language" and the only language recognized as such was Kashubian language. Kashubs were granted the right to protect and develop their own language, but they were not given full political rights. Some Kashubian organizations (including Kaszëbskô Jednota) demand for Kashubs to be recognised as a national/ethnic minority.

31. The first Act
on Minorities

33. Kaszëbskô Jednota is an association which was registered in the National Court Register in The organization brings together people declaring Kashubian nationality and all those who declare their willingness to work for the development of the Kashubian nation. In 2014 the number of members reached 90 people. To find out more visit our website