Cibo, nazione e lealtà politica. Il caso di Vilnius, 1919-1920

During the First World War, the Northwestern territories of the Tsarist Empire occupied by the German Army (Ober Ost) became the object of continuous massive requisitions. One of the most important centers in the region, Vilnius was strongly hit by German requisitions and colonial regime. Within this framework, refugees’ relief committees represented the main actors which helped the German authorities cope with fast worsening social situation. In the meantime, the committees took advantage of their position to continue the nation building process began prior to the war. Delivery of food provisions and food aid became some of the basic tools the committees used to bolster it. The years that followed the German occupation did not better the situation significantly. However, what did change were the actors involved in relief and food aid. Between 1919 and 1920, when Vilnius ended up under Polish occupation, it was public and private organization that coordinated aid in cooperation with Polish State’s institutions. Food provisions and food aid further represented a tool widely used to stimulate the political and national loyalty of supported people. Results, however, were not always in line with expectations.