„Ich dachte, dass jeder die Situation ähnlich wahrnimmt wie ich.“ Die tschechischpolnische Region „Cieszyn-Silesia“ (Teschener Schlesien) als Beispiel einer polysemen Grenze

Abstract

Applying the concept of Balibar (2002), this study shows that the border between Czechia and Poland in the Cieszyn Silesia region has characteristics of a polysemic border. Some inhabitants experienced the border closure due to the pandemic situation as an existential threat, some organised protests because they perceive the border region as a whole to be their home, some claim that the resurrection of the border did not influence anything in their lives. This study introduces the complex network of cross-border relationships and discusses the possible reasons for different perceptions of the border.