A role of the identity in the adaptation process while social changes: An example of return of White Mountain exiles after 1945
Abstract
This paper describes descendants of Czech Protestants, who left their country after the year 1741. Emigrants were settled down in abroad, while founding independent municipalities, during the years.
Significant enclaves grown in Poland, where emigrants founded several important centers; Zelov was one of them. After the end of the World War II, the Czechoslovak government asked exiles for returning back to their homeland.
The town of Liberec became one of their new hometown. They founded two congregations: the Baptist Church and the Czechoslovak Evangelical Church.
Their relatively closed communities lived in accordance with the Bible and revered ethical standards of their ancestors. They were, however, exposed to the new environment, while adopting of new members and reinterpretation their own identity.