Memowy obraz Podlasia i Lubelszczyzny .......... 93
Synopsis
MEME IMAGE OF PODLASIE AND LUBLIN REGION
The text presents the perception of Podlasie and Lublin and their inhabitants, transmitted and preserved in Polish-language internet memes collected in 2020-2022. This description, which uses the assumptions of multimodal analysis and textual image of the world, covers over 300 memes concerning two regions approached from the perspective of colloquial categorization. The authors of the memes (usually anonymous) use the image of the region established in culture, which consists of elements of material and non-material culture (especially customs, language, cultural messages, including stereotypes) and expressive social components (e.g. typical activities of residents). Memes, which present a certain image of the region, preserve it and in this way influence the shaping of our ideas and building memory. Hence, both the choice of characteristic features and the way of using them, as well as the inclusion of new elements, often related to current events, are important. Memes, by recalling judgments and beliefs known for years, place them in a new context or provide a surprising commentary. They can therefore create new associations or bundles of associations, and then popularize them in popular culture, of which they are an important component. The meme image of Podlasie and Lublin is generally negative, which is associated with the perception of these regions as poor and technologically backward. The multiculturalism and religious diversity of these regions and their landscape values are not confirmed in memes, and the lack of industrialization and the possibility of close contact with nature are generally interpreted as flaws and a reason for shame. Podlasie is presented as a distant and wild land, whose inhabitants abuse alcohol, are afraid of new things and speak a different (regional) Polish. The physical strength of the inhabitants, especially children and women, and Podlasie agriculture were presented in a positive light. The meme image of Lublin is dominated by unemployment and fear of new technologies. It is a wild place from which one escapes. The reasons for pride are events from the past (the Union of Lublin) and regional beer.
