culture – History of Šiauliai

Šiauliai and Sąjūdis Activities

Šiaulių TIC — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 18:54:18 +0000

From the very beginning, Šiauliai community with the representatives of local intellectuals took active part in the activities of the initiative group of Lithuanian reform movement Sąjūdis. After little more than a month when this group was formed, on July 22, 1988, the first event of Sąjūdis was held: a meeting in the Sundial Square, rallying a lot of people from Šiauliai and all over the area. The event called for sovereignty of Lithuania, introduction of democracy, it condemned the cruelty of Stalinism times, monetary donations were collected for the construction of the monument to Povilas Višinskis, a prominent member of the Lithuanian national movement and language conservator, it was urged to take care of the Lithuanian language and restore the historical truth. Like in all other cities, Šiauliai Sąjūdis community mostly focused on the Lithuanian language and ethnic culture, and put their main efforts into freedom and independence of Lithuania. For that purpose, meetings were held in the city, discussions in the classrooms of higher education institutions took place. In October, 1988, one of the most prominent events of the first year of Rebirth was organised in Šiauliai – the Language festival, aimed at paying attention to the situation of the Lithuanian language that severely suffered during the years of occupation. On October 12 of the same year, the city council granted a status of a public organization to Sąjūdis movement of Šiauliai city. After five days, the founding conference of Šiauliai groups of Sąjūdis movement was organized in Šiauliai drama theatre. The conference elected the representatives of the future Seimas, discussed the main issues, and decided to publish the publication of the city’s Sąjūdis movement. On December 12-22, the Lithuanian drama festival ‘Atgaiva’ was held in Šiauliai, presenting performances based on the prohibited drama works of Lithuanian emigrants, which were banned during the years of occupation, to the audience. Stage art was accompanied by a series of lectures, delivered by culture, science and public figures, such as the future signatory Romualdas Ozolas, historian Liudas Truska. August 23, 1989, the day that went down in the history of Lithuania as The Baltic Way day, was celebrated by Šiauliai people particularly loudly: organizing theatrical events in the city’s streets and Pergalė Square (later renamed as Prisikėlimo Square), sneering at the Nazis and Bolsheviks, who one after another occupied Lithuania in the Second World War. After these events, the city quickly emptied – all went to The Baltic Way action.

The systematic activity of Šiauliai Sąjūdis movement led to shrinking numbers of pro-Soviet persons and members of the Communist Party of Lithuania from the ranks of Šiauliai city council. They were pushed by the representatives of Sąjūdis, their delegated and supported persons. People close to Sąjūdis movement began to lead the city council. Mindaugas Stakvilevičius, Donatas Morkūnas, Romualdas Ozolas, Virginijus Kačinskas, Kęstutis Lapinskas and Algimantas Sėjūnas were elected by Šiauliai people to the Supreme Council and became the signatories to the Act of March 11, which announced the fact of the Restoration of the Republic of Lithuania.

Foto 1

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose.

Foto 2

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose.

Foto 3

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose.

The post Šiauliai and Sąjūdis Activities appeared first on History of Šiauliai.

Cultural Life

Šiaulių TIC — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 18:51:20 +0000

A significant contribution to the formation of the regional cultural centre in the city was made by Šiauliai ‘Aušra’ Museum – the institution around which cultural life was revolving during the interwar period and during the war. The Museum continued its educational and cultural mission in the post-war period too. The end of the war and five years after it became the years of trial for this institution. Even a few caches in the city, where cultural values were hidden, were bombarded. Cultural values kept in these caches were severely damaged, especially those that were hidden in St. Peter and Paul’s Church, in ‘Gubernija’ brewery. The very building of the Museum also burned down, so there was no place to return the evacuated values after the war, for that reason they were plundered, destroyed or gradually declined due to poor housing conditions. The Museum had to exist without any premises. It was a very difficult period. The office and part of the surviving exhibits were moved to Peliksas Bugailiškis’s house. Later, the Museum was given the building of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, where the remaining exhibits were stored.

In 1955, the Venclauskiai house became the new refuge for the Museum. In 1966, the Museum regained its former building, which housed it from 1933 until the battles in the city during the Second World War. From then on, rapid expansion of the institution began. The Museum gets several buildings one after another, which become its divisions. In 1967, Žaliūkiai windmill,which was built in 1880 and belonged to Danieliai family, was transferred to the Museum. In 1976, the Museum was supplemented with Šiauliai Division of Photography Art Society of Lithuania, founded by photographer Antanas Dilis, which becomes the Photography Department of ‘Aušra’ Museum and since then has been called the Museum of Photography. In 1985, the house of poet Jonas Krikščiūnas-Jovaras also goes to ‘Aušra’ Museum.

Around 1978, there were 77 libraries in Šiauliai. The central library system, children’s library were established. Most of the larger institutions and organizations had private libraries. Povilas Višinskis Public Library, founded in 1951, became the city’s important cultural centre. In 1978, it was moved to new, much more spacious premises because both the fund of books and other publications as well as the numbers of readers and staff were growing. In 1989, the library already employed 119 people. The new library offered excellent conditions for organizing various events.

In 1946, in the former People’s House, Šiauliai City Culture House was established. It had 3 halls, 13 rehearsal rooms, a reading room. More than 500 events were held annually. It was a place for rehearsals of ‘Jovaras’ ensemble, the symphony orchestra, ballet, ballroom dances, children’s drama clubs, the veterans’ choir, the puppet theatre, and the Esperanto club.

During the Soviet period, the drama theatre continued to operate in Šiauliai, raising a number of prominent theatre personalities. In 1953-1989, there were 5 cinemas in Šiauliai: ‘Tiesa’(founded in 1956), ‘Palydovas’ (1961), ‘Saulė’ (1966), ‘Laikas’ (1978) and ‘Dainai’ (1979).

In 1965, the Department of Drawing and Handicraft, established at the Pedagogical Institute, was a great impetus to further development of art in Šiauliai. Later, this department grew into the Faculty of Arts, which rallied all the artists of that time of the city. In addition to this department, in 1967, the Children’s Art School was founded. The exhibition period started: art exhibitions were organized both in the Exhibition Palace (currently Art Gallery) belonging to ‘Aušra’ Museum and in the Culture House, the Engineers’ Chamber. At that time, the artists’ community was formed, which not only participated in art exhibitions but also created monumental decorative art works, theatrical scenography, playbills, posters.

Foto 1

Zubovų rūmai (čia buvo įkurtas Dailės fakultetas).

Foto 2

Titnago spaustuvė Šiauliuose.

Foto 3

Šiaulių dramos teatro pastatas.

The post Cultural Life appeared first on History of Šiauliai.

Cultural Life, which has Become an Integral Part of the History of Šiauliai

Šiaulių TIC — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:50:54 +0000

During the years of independence, Šiauliai immediately hastened to organize cultural communities, societies and clubs of like-minded people. The old organizations revived, new ones appeared and life came to the boil in Šiauliai. In 1920, ‘Varpas’ Society renewed its activities. A little later, it was joined by Gubernia Workers’ Club ‘Švietimasis’ (1921), the Society of Music Lovers (1926) and many others. In 1930, there were over 50 different organisations engaged in cultural and educational activities in the city, among which were ‘Kultūra’ company, the Cultural-Education Society, the Ethnographic Society, ‘Putpelė’ Society, the Free Thinkers’ Ethical Cultural Society, the Lithuanian Society of Esperantists and for liberation of Vilnius, the Lithuanian Teetotallers’ Union and others. One of the most prominent of these organizations was the liberal ‘Kultūra’ company, founded in 1920, by such prominent activists as Peliksas Bugailiškis, Kazimieras Venclauskis, Antanas Povylius, Vladimiras Zubovas, etc., the main activity of which was publishing of books and magazines. Throughout its lifetime from 1921 till 1927, the organisation issued books of 140 titles in the edition of 621200 copies. From 1923, for eighteen years, the organization was publishing the monthly magazine ‘Kultūra’ (the edition of 2000-2800 copies). Such cultural figures as Vincas Krėvė, Petras Cvirka, Kazys Boruta, Kostas Korsakas would contribute to writing of texts for this magazine. In addition to publishing, this organization also carried out considerable cultural and educational work. It organized and established over 250 cultural clubs in the whole Lithuania, uniting 3000 members. They would mostly become the cultural centres of the settlements and vicinities in which they functioned. Congresses of all clubs would take place in the central office of ‘Kultūra’ company; i.e., in Šiauliai. In 1925, company leaders took over the cinema hall of the People’s House, but left its old name. There was a place for meetings, the library with a reading room, the cinema ‘Kapitol’. Later, the People’s House also housed an amateur theatre, directed by the famous director Borisas Dauguvietis, while the production of operas and operettas was directed by composer Mikas Petrauskas. The aim of this theatre was not only to present entertainment performances to Šiauliai inhabitants but also to lay the foundations for the professional theatre and creative troupe in Šiauliai. In 1931, the first professional city theatre was created: Šiauliai division of Kaunas State Theatre. The theatre troupe staged performances and played in ‘Kapitol’ cinema, which was not suitable for that but at that time nothing more suitable was available. During the four years spent in Šiauliai, the theatre troupe played over 550 performances. In 1936, the entire institution was transferred to Klaipėda. After the loss of Klaipėda region, the theatre returned to its home town and having received permanent premises suitable for performances, did not move to any other place.

It can be stated that Šiauliai had only one artist in the interwar period but who it was. Gerardas Bagdonavičius was a painter by his profession but he was everywhere. He was one of the pioneers of exlibris in Lithuania and a proclaimer of Lithuanian variant of this form of art in the world. He painted the architectural images of Šiauliai and other cities and also illustrated various publications of that time, printed in the city. Having debuted at the exhibition in 1923, six years later, he travelled around the world’s largest cities and took part in competitions where he won awards. Often he got actively involved in the activities of the Ethnographic Society, but he also managed to try out the actor’s bread and butter. When he moved to the Russian Empire during the World War I, he played over 50 roles in the cinema and became probably the first Lithuanian film actor. He also became a photographer, viewing photography not as a craft but rather as another form of art. However, he was most dedicated for the pedagogical activity: he taught children to draw, paint and educated more than one child, who later became prominent Lithuanian artists: one of the most famous Lithuanian graphic artists, medal maker and Šiauliai resident Petras Repšys, who called him his great inspiration, painter Antanas Gudaitis, stained-glass artist Jonas Janulis, production designer Juozas Jankus, graphic artist Marcė Katiliūtė. He was a very active public representative, whom one could easily spot in the city rushing, carrying a brush or other painting tools; therefore, the nickname Penzeliukas (a small brush) stuck to him so much that even in these times many people call him namely this way. The house, designed by him with the help of architect Karolis Reisonas, still now reminds the city of the unique talent who once lived here.

The Cultural-Education Society was set up as a kind of a side project of ‘Kultūra’ company to continue its activity after it encountered financial difficulties and pressure from the institutions of central authorities. Most of ‘Kultūra’ actors were involved in its activities, including Jackus Sondeckis, Peliksas Bugailiškis, musician Juozas Naujalis. The Society continued publishing activities, initiated by ‘Kultūra’ company and led Povilas Višinskis People’s University.

The activities of the Ethnographic Society included arrangement of various ethnographic expeditions, collecting ethnographic exhibits and ethnographic materials, aimed to know the history, culture and nature of the native land. This society was led by P. Bugailiškis. The organization published the journal ‘Gimtasai kraštas’, which published articles on folklore, archaeology, ethnography and museology. In order to have a place for preservation of its activity results and collected valuable exhibits, the Society took over Šiauliai ‘Aušra’ Museum, founded in 1923, from Šiauliai county municipality. One of the main initiators and founders of the Museum was P. Bugailiškis himself. Joint activities of both organizations included organised expeditions (exhibits collected during the expeditions together with recorded photo impressions of expeditions were later presented in the exhibitions organized by the Museum), as well as collection of ethnographic material, cultural heritage and heritage protection and preservation. The ‘Aušra’ Museum itself, in addition to its direct function to protect and demonstrate cultural values to the public, also did research work, which would supplement the empirical data and theoretical material collected during ethnographic expeditions. The Museum maintained close relationships and prepared joint projects with the State Archaeological Commission, M. Čiurlionis Gallery and used modern forms of exposition display. Thanks to the employees of the Museum and the Ethnographic Society, the Museum rapidly became renowned in the country and for several years it was the largest and the most famous museum in Lithuania.

There were several printing houses in Šiauliai. In 1919, B. Fridman’s printing house was founded. After the change of the owner, it changed its name to ‘Lietpress’, and still later, in 1932, it went to ‘Viltis’ Society and once again changed its name to ‘Viltis’; after a few years it was transferred to Kaunas. The establishment of this first interwar printing house was followed by the establishment of other three, the operation of which was much more stable, because their owners were not changing so often, and all of them remained in Šiauliai until they closed: in 1920, Salomas Savičius’s and Boruchas Šumkauskas’s printing house, later renamed to ‘Grafika’; in 1923, ‘Titnagas’ printing house, founded in Jonas Šliūpas’s house; Maizeniusas’s printing house ‘Spauda’, which operated still in Tsarist Russia, reconstructed its premises and continued its activities. The main activity area of these institutions was publication of periodicals. Book publishing matters belonged to ‘Kultūra’ company, ‘Viltis’ and Cultural-Education Societies and Šiauliai Union of Consumer Companies. Sometimes books were published by private persons, such as J. Šliūpas, who published his works in his private ‘Titangas’ printing house. The peculiarities of periodical press came to prominence. In the beginning; i.e., in 1919-1928, the left-wing press prevailed in public; while since 1928, the right-wing national and Catholic press, showing political approaches of President Antanas Smetona and the direction of the state.

The establishment of ‘Putpelė’ Society was mainly initiated by the then actor and later one of the most famous and talented Lithuanian film directors Juozas Miltinis, Česlovas Liutikas, Kazimieras Venclauskis’s daughter Danutė Venclauskaitė and Peliksas Bugailiškis. The majority of the founders were members of the Ethnographic Society. ‘Putpelė’ Society established a male orchestra under the direction of composer Bronius Jonušas, which in the length of time became the orchestra touring around the whole of Lithuania.

Another organization established in Šiauliai, which became a phenomenon that rapidly gained popularity in the whole Lithuania, was The Freethinkers’ Ethical Culture Society founded by J. Šliūpas and like-minded people, which in 1930, moved to Kaunas, leaving its division in Šiauliai. From the very beginning, the Freethinkers were known as a group fighting with the official public opinion and inveterate dogmas: they sought to introduce the civil registry system, to separate the school and the church from the state, to spread liberal views, free from military policy and fascism propaganda, when these phenomena began to strengthen and come to prominence throughout all of Europe.

During the interwar period, many cinemas were established because Šiauliai people liked going to the cinema a lot. Only in 1927-1928, cinemas ‘Lyra’, ‘Mars’ and ‘Rekord’ were opened; a year later, ‘Kapitol’; still a year later, ‘Triumf’ and ‘Palas’ (formerly ‘Spindulys’). In 1929-1930, in total there were 7 cinemas in the city and county. In 1932, the most up-to-date establishment of this kind ‘Skendit Palace’ with a 500-seat hall was opened in Šiauliai. The cinema of the People’s House and ‘Kapitol’ cinema were the most popular and were constantly competing.

Foto 1

Renginys Šiaulių Parodos aikštėje.

Foto 2

Šiaulių dramos teatro pastatas.

Foto 3

Šiaulių Aušros muziejaus pastatas Aušros alėjos gatvėje.

Foto 4

Ch. Frenkelio vila.

The post Cultural Life, which has Become an Integral Part of the History of Šiauliai appeared first on History of Šiauliai.

Education – the City’s Main Priority

Šiaulių TIC — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:40:53 +0000

Already at the beginning of independence, the employees of the municipality in authority very well understood the importance of education. This is primarily apparent from the funds allocated for the revival of this sector. Here, Šiauliai undoubtedly had the lead among other cities of Lithuania: budget allocation for education in Šiauliai was almost twice larger than that in the temporary capital of Lithuania, Kaunas. Primary schools that were closed during the war were started to be expeditiously restored. Šiauliai Municipality initiated and put efforts to make primary education obligatory and free, accessible to everyone both in the city and the whole Lithuania. Progymnasiums for national minorities – Jews and Germans – provided four-grade primary education in native languages. The activities of Šiauliai Gymnasium were renewed as early as before the end of the First World War. The city’s Gymnasium, which was revived in the years of independence, was mixed for some time, but in 1928, based on the decision of the Ministry of Education, it was divided into previously existing separate boys’ and girls’ gymnasia. The Boys’ Gymnasium provided intensified courses of economics, exact sciences and classical languages; while the Girls’, foreign languages. The Jewish community gymnasium was maintained for the private funds of the community organization at the home of industrialists brothers Nurokai. There used to be various courses for adult teachers, technicians and civil servants who wished to acquire secondary education. These courses originated the establishment of the adult gymnasium in 1921.

In addition to traditional, public education institutions, special schools were established: the School of Music, founded in 1929, in the building housing the company of American Lithuanians in Dvaro street; the School of Commerce, which from 1936 was educating accountants and salesmen so needed for Šiauliai as the centre of industry and trade; the Secondary School of Crafts, which from 1926, educated specialists of two fields: joiners and leather industry specialists; the Teachers’ Seminary, established in 1920, in the former counts Zubovai manor. The latter is to be considered the first higher education institution in Šiauliai, educating teachers for the whole education system of Lithuania. In 1939, Klaipėda Trade Institute, moved from Klaipėda to Šiauliai, became the city’s second higher education institution. Šiauliai Trade Institute was spread in three places of the city: Tautininkai house, the Teachers’ Seminary, and later, also in the newly built post office. It educated highly qualified specialists who were needed for the growing needs of Šiauliai city: transport, trade, industry, credit institutions, banks, insurance specialists.

Foto 1

Mokytojų seminarijos pastatas (Zubovų rūmai).

Foto 2

Šiaulių berniukų gimnazija.

Foto 3

Šiaulių mergaičių gimnazija.

Foto 4

Mokytojų seminarijos pastatas (Zubovų rūmai).

Foto 5

Žydų mokyklos mokiniai Ch. Frenkelio vilos kieme prie fontano.

Foto 6

Šiaulių žydų gimnazijos pastatas.

Foto 7

Mokytojų seminarijos pastatas (Zubovų rūmai).

The post Education – the City’s Main Priority appeared first on History of Šiauliai.

The City’s Cultural Life – the Dawn of Awakening Consciousness

Šiaulių TIC — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 17:51:42 +0000

The city’s stronger economy and administrative apparatus was followed by the emergence of various organizations, movements and the like. As new educational and medical institutions were set up, the intelligentsia also grew, because most of its representatives traditionally until then worked in budgetary institutions located in other parts of the Russian Empire. The intelligentsia hastened to rally into organizations, committees, societies, clubs. In this historical process, Šiauliai was destined to become one of the most important focal points of rallying and activities of Lithuanian intelligentsia. Šiauliai city gymnasium, which not only educated young intellectuals but also promoted their activities, was particularly important. Usually the main organizers of the city’s cultural life were former pupils of the gymnasium and their teachers. The nobles with counts Zubovai at the forefront helped very much by volunteering in the organization and sponsoring of activities.

Among these intellectuals one representative of the clergy distinguished himself. It was Ignacas Štachas, an enthusiastic and active Chancellor of the Diocese of Samogitia, who graduated from Varniai Priest Seminary and in the end of the first half of the 19^th century was appointed as a priest in Šiauliai. This man was one of the first proclaimers of teetotalism in Lithuania, whose example inspired Motiejus Valančius to start the teetotalism movement activities. In addition to his direct duties, being an intellectual, educator and historian, I. Štachas soon noticed that one of the most significant reasons for the obscurantism and enslavement of the society was the network of pubs that flourished in the Tsarist Russia, promoting strong drunkenness. He and his affinity group began setting up teetotallers’ fraternities, resulting in considerable reduction of the number of places selling alcohol during the years of his service in Šiauliai. I. Štachas contributed to the repair works of Šiauliai church, and his authority in the city was great. Not without reason, bishop M. Valančius, who visited Šiauliai, later wrote that Šiauliai people were very fond of priests, and their church was worthy of being a cathedral.

In 1860-1861, thanks to the local nobility and authorities, the Public Library was established. At that time, it was one of the first libraries in the history of Lithuania, which in addition to Polish literature had a lot of books on philosophy, nature, and law. Unfortunately, in 1864, after the suppression of the rebellion, it was closed. After the closure of the Public Library, all of its funds were transferred and added to the gymnasium library funds, which became the most important library that had publications of various content. In 1883, V. Bielskis funded and established a secret library, where the works of the very V. Bielskis, N. Chernyshevsky, other Russian and Western revolutionary democrats were stored. The Tsarist authorities wanted but could not close this library because it was set up in count V. Zubovas’s house. This library was particularly important in promoting young people’s progressive views. In 1900, the Public Library was restored and its society, headed by V. Zubovas and attended by such personalities as K. Šalkauskis, K. Venclauskas, V. Bielskis, B. Nurokas and others, was approved. There were more societies and other organizations. In 1868, the Citizens’ Club was founded, mostly consisting of Russian nationality intellectuals – gymnasium teachers and officials, who wanted to spend their free time meaningfully. This Club had its own library, reading room, amateur drama group, etc., it also arranged concerts, various artistic performances. Another very active organization, founded in 1908, was the literary, drama and musical society ‘Varpas’. Although it existed only for six years, it managed to do considerable work. Its activities encompassed most of the cultural life of the city’s Lithuanians. It was a society that acted as a cultural institution: had its own management board, rented premises for a hall containing several hundred seats and a stage, a library with a reading room, and had its own finances. Although it focused on theatre and creation of performances, it also had a choir of 80 members, readers and musicians. There were active Catholic organizations: St. Joseph Workers’ Catholic Society (later reorganized into Šiauliai Christian St. Joseph’s Mutual Assistance Society), Šiauliai division of Lithuanian Catholic Teetotallers’ Society, ‘Darbo’ club intended for female Catholic workers and maids. After the revolution of 1905-1907, Jewish social and cultural life became more active: in 1909-1911, Šiauliai division of Kaunas Jewish Literary Society was developing its activities, in 1912, Jewish music, drama and singing society ‘Gazomir’, which organized concerts, performances, music and literature evenings, was founded.

Another significant accent of Šiauliai cultural life was exhibitions. It is one of the most prominent manifestations of the then cultural life of the city and the result of active efforts of count N. Zubovas, assisted by the landlords of the county. Demonstration of agricultural tools, machines, animals in the exhibitions was aimed at promoting the development of agriculture and industry. The exhibits were brought from both the provinces of Lithuania and provinces of Kuršas, Suwalki, Minsk, Vitebsk, Pavyslis, Prussia districts. The first exhibition was held in 1875; the second, in 1876; the third, in 1879, and later, approximately every three years. In 1914, the exhibition’s events also included theatre troupe and choir performances of ‘Varpas’ society. All these events used to be organized in a specially arranged area, a large exhibition square with a spectacular pavilion building in the centre, around which all the activities took place. This square was located further from the city centre, around the same place where Šiauliai republican hospital now stands.

In the field of literature, active inhabitants of Šiauliai were Laurynas Ivinskis, who was a creator of Lithuanian farmers’ calendars, Bogdanas and Mykolas Oginskiai, the scribe of the marshal of Šiauliai county Aleksandras Mora, the writer of Aušra Juozapas Miliauskas-Miglovara, social and cultural figure Povilas Višinskis, Marija Pečkauskaitė-Šatrijos Ragana, who was inspired by him to write, poet Jonas Krikščiūnas-Jovaras.

The beginning of Lithuanian theatre both in Šiauliai and Lithuania is to be related to the so-called ‘Lithuanian evenings’. For Lithuanians who lived under the rule of the Russian Empire this was the most affordable form of cultural and political activity, struggling for national liberation. In Šiauliai, such events would begin with gegužinės (dancing evenings), which from 1894, were held in Aleksandrija, in the manors of counts Zubovai. On October 31, 1904, mainly by the efforts of Kazimieras and Stanislava Venclauskiai, a public performance ‘Amerika pirtyje’ (‘America in the Bath’) was organized in Šiauliai for the first time in Lithuania, which until then seemed impossible in the Tsarist Empire. Following this and several other public theatre evenings, a group of cultural figures gathered around the Venclauskiai produces several performances, including performances of the plays by Anton Chekhov, and in 1905-1909, a local gymnasium graduate J.Misius, actively involved in theatrical activities in Šiauliai, produces about 12 performances.

The first cinema ‘Elektro-Biografas Modern iš Paryžiaus’ was founded in Šiauliai as early as 1909. The cinema was supplied with a specially equipped electric station, which made the local people call it ‘an electric theatre’. The cinema was equipped with a 180-seat hall. The second cinema named ‘Fantazija’ was founded in 1912. It had a 400-seat hall, and a string orchestra was playing there during breaks and shows. The cinema ‘Fantazija’ was acknowledged the best cinema theatre in the entire Kaunas province.

Foto 1

Šiaulių Gegužinių (1904 m.)

Foto 2

Varpo draugijos nariai (1910 m.)

Foto 3

Amerika pirtyje Palangoje.

Foto 4

Amerika pirtyje Šiauliuose (afiša).

Foto 5

Žemės ūkio parodos.

The post The City’s Cultural Life – the Dawn of Awakening Consciousness appeared first on History of Šiauliai.

Education and Self-Education

Šiaulių TIC — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 17:44:33 +0000

In the early 19^th century, Šiauliai had only one parish school, consisting of one class, attached to the church, which was operating for more than 35 years, until 1839. Due to the enhancing Russification and shortage of funds in the city budget, several short-lived schools were founded on the initiative of solitary noblemen, until it was unanimously decided to establish a gymnasium in Šiauliai. Originally, in 1839, a five-grade school was established for the nobility of the county, which was later supplemented by the preparatory class. This institution becomes the subject of exchanges. In 1851, thanks to active local nobility, the gymnasium from Grodno province, Svislach, is moved to Šiauliai in exchange for the said school for the nobility of the county, which was moved to Svislach. This way a school of seven grades and one preparatory grade, called Šiauliai Boys’ Gymnasium, appears in Šiauliai. Due to local laws, only children of noble families and about a tenth of townsmen attended the gymnasium. The land to this gymnasium was donated by Jonas Jakševičius, provided that his offspring and two more generations would be exempted from tuition fees. J. Jakševičius’s daughter Stanislava (future Venclauskienė) kept her father’s will and diligently followed it in a rather unusual way. She adopted over 100 homeless children and foundlings, to whom she gave their surname and this way provided them with both shelter also free education. Her husband, Kazimieras Venclauskis, supported and financed these activities of his wife. Lessons at the gymnasium were given in the Polish language, the spirit of union prevailed, but the pupils were characterized by the inherited identity of ‘the Samogitian noble’. In many cases, the patriotism of Polish union, developed at the gymnasium, simultaneously fostered Lithuanian patriotism too. The influence of this educational establishment was enormous both in the city and in the county, other surrounding counties.

The Šiauliai Boys’ Gymnasium was available only for boys, but girls also had an alternative, but private – the parochial gymnasium for girls, which operated in 1846-1857. In 1865, a girls’ shift was opened in the parochial state owned one-class school and in 1873, there were more girls than boys in this school. In 1898, a girls’ gymnasium was founded in the plot of count Vladimiras Zubovas, who financed the establishment and maintenance of this institution. Count V. Zubovas and his wife Sofija considerably contributed to the areas of education and inhabitants’ educatedness in the city and its vicinity. They initiated and funded the foundation of schools in Ginkūnai (secretly), Naisiai, Gubernija, Dabikinė, Medermrodė. Several short-lived boarding schools were also founded, with the exception of one that operated long: a private real boarding school, which operated from 1861 till 1907, and in 1907, was reorganized into a four-grade progymnasium.

In 1839-1851, the activities of all city schools were supervised by nobility schools of the county; and since 1851, by the directorate of the gymnasium. After the suppression the rebellion of 1863-1864, a Russification programme was introduced in Lithuania, discriminating the Poles and the Lithuanian culture. It was allowed to give lessons in schools only in Russian and to use the Lithuanian language only as a subsidiary language in the first school year.

In turn, Jewish education was organized according to Jewish customs. Jewish children in Šiauliai used to acquire primary education in a three-grade spiritual school attached to kahal (Jewish local authority). Such first-class three-grade state school appeared in Šiauliai in 1853. After this school, children, having acquired practical basics, were preparing to work or continue studying at the rabbinical school. In 1879, a Jewish one-class school was opened. In 1899, the largest industrialist of Šiauliai, Ch. Frenkelis funded the establishment of the Talmud Torah elementary school for Jewish destitute children.