Paper short abstract:

In my paper I will reflect on the phenomenon of the construction of the so-called Wallachian heritage, which, in turn, is a starting point for cultural activities and practices aimed at building a greater transnational Carpathian community among the inhabitants of the Carpathians regions.

Paper long abstract:

In my paper, I would like to reflect on the phenomenon of the contemporary construction of the so-called Wallachian heritage, which, in turn, is a starting point for cultural activities and practices aimed at building a greater transnational Carpathian community among the inhabitants of the Carpathians regions.

For at least two decades in Poland, we have witnessed a growing interest in the medieval migrations of Wallachian shepherds along the Carpathian Mountains. We can observed how a new myth of a supranational Carpathian community is being born, based not only on the fact of living in the Carpathians, but above all on the cultural heritage stemming from Wallachian roots.

During the presentation, I will try to trace how Wallachian themes permeate the public discourse, becoming an inspiration for local activists and academic researchers to take action to restore Wallachian traditions. A notable example of this type of activity may be the Great Redyk of 2013, during which a group of shepherds with sheep walked along the Carpathian Mountains from Romania to the Czech Republic. What are the motivations for such activities? What objectives are behind them? What do they tell us about inhabitants of the Carpathians - their lives, environment, problems and challenges. It is worth to consider these questions, as they reflect the wider social, cultural and political processes we are witnessing in today's globalized and technicized world.