Last modified: 2014-04-11 by zoltán horváth
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image by Chrystian Kretowicz, 11 September 2008
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Wikipedia
says about them: "Selonia (Latvian: Selija,
Lithuanian: Sela), also known as Augšzeme (the
"Highland"), is a cultural region in Latvia
encompassing the eastern part of the historical region of
Semigallia (Latvian: Zemgale). Not an administrative division in
modern Latvia, S?lija currently designates those portions of the
Daugavpils, J?kabpils and Aizkraukle districts (rajoni) that lie
on the left bank of the Daugava river. Some of the inhabitants
still speak a sub-dialect of the High Latvian spoken in Latgale,
derived from the Selonian language.
Prior to the subjugation and baptism of the Selonians in 1208,
when Albert of Buxhoeveden captured S?lpils (Latin: castrum
Selonum), Selonia extended into Lithuania. The Selonians were
allied with the Lithuanians. In 1218 the region formed a Selonian
diocese, but in 1226 part of that diocese was joined to the Riga
archbishopric and the Semigallian bishopric was formed.
Nowadays the region is mainly inhabited by Latvians, Russians and
autochthon Lithuanians."
In 1999, the Selonian Congress in Viesite adopted a flag which
was approved by the Heraldic Commission of Latvia. The flag is
modeled on the Latvian flag, has the same proportions, meaning
the white stripe is narrower, The colors are dark red, white and
green, just like the flag of Viesite
(adopted also in 1999, but with the arms of the town in the
middle).
Chrystian Kretowicz, 11 September 2008