Paper short abstract:

The paper explores the relationship between place-attachment and collective memory as reflected in interviews with Lithuanians living in Iceland. Impact of migration on affective relationship with place is recognised but also bearings of interest and access to cultural and communicative memory.

Paper long abstract:

One of the ways people form socio-spatial identity is through developing affective relationships to places. Place-attachment has been recognised as having significant impact on life fulfilment and lack there-of may have negative impact on personal wellbeing. In the literature on place-attachment it is often assumed that extended residency is basis of strong place-attachment. People having resided in a neighbourhood or region over a long time develop closer attachment to place than people who have resettled from elsewhere. Split habitus of migrants and lessened access to cultural and communicative memory of the adopted home and diminished contact with place of origin results in weaker attachment to place. Recent studies indicate that the picture is more complex indicating that migrants may indeed form and maintain strong attachment to both their place of origin and to their adopted place of residence. Drawing on interviews with Lithuanian migrants in Reykjavik, Iceland, the paper explores the ways and degrees the immigrants interviewed have developed place-attachment within Iceland and the ways they have maintained and developed attachment to the places in Lithuania they lived prior to residency in Iceland. The relationship reflected in the interviews between place-attachment and various forms of social memory is explored, offering insights into migrant attitudes and access to cultural memory in Lithuania and Iceland. In accordance with recent studies on migrant place-attachment the conclusions indicate that even though migration may be an important factor in determining place-attachment other issues such as personal interest in local and national cultural heritage is significant.