Švietimo draugijos "Rytas" veikla 1915-1918 metais

LT1915-1918 metai - svarbių permainų laikotarpis Lietuvos valstybingumo raidoje. Europoje vykstant karui okupuotos Lietuvos šviesuoliai stengėsi palaikyti ir platinti dar XIX a. pabaigoje iškeltą nepriklausomos valstybės sukūrimo idėją, kuri buvo realizuota 1918 m. vasario 16 d. Nepriklausomybės Aktu. Straipsnio tikslas - atskleisti Lietuvių švietimo draugijos „Rytas“ veiklą šiuo sudėtingu laikotarpiu ir parodyti jos indėlį į lietuvybės žadinimą, bendrą visuomenės švietimą ir kartu prielaidų tautinei valstybei kūrimą. [Iš straipsnio, p. 71]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Lietuva, Pirmasis pasaulinis karas, draugija "Rytas"; Lietuvių švietimo draugijos; Tautinis sąjūdis; Švietimo draugija „Rytas“; Švietimo draugijos; Education societies; Lithuania, WWI, "Rytas" society; Lithuanian education societies; Lithuanian education society „Rytas“; Lithuanian national revival.

ENThe present article analyses the activity of “Rytas” society from 1915 to 1918. This period was one of the turning points in the development of Lithuania's statehood, and thus it is important to analyse how a public association influenced the establishment of the national state. “Rytas” society was established in late 1912, and in 1913 it branched out into towns and villages, where, usually supported by the clergy, its members began to organize bookshops, libraries, schools and classes, and educate society. It was difficult to carry on with this work for the lack of educated and even literate people, teachers, and textbooks. Material difficulties increased in the war period. Pro-Polish environment prevailed in the Vilnius province, and authorities carried out the policy of denationalization: first Russification, and later - Germanisation. The period of 1914-1915 was not very productive for the society; nevertheless, it established 39 branches and seven new reading-rooms. During the war, intellectuals were scattered, and on 14 May 1916 the German government closed down “Rytas” society and demanded to “prepare a new statute”. Later the office of the chief burgomaster of Germany issued strict regulations regarding the activities of the “Rytas” board and its initiatives in the field of education. Nonetheless, the board encouraged the society's branches to establish more libraries and reading-rooms, and publish books, and took care of their maintenance and the teaching content. In 1917 educational work was carried out on the background of the changing war situation and a growing perspective of independence. There was more initiative to continue educational work, which was stopped or slowed down during the war; more national associations were established, and discussions about the principles of the Lithuanian school began. This work took a more concrete shape in 1918, and later served as the basis for the national education system.The role of the clergy in establishing “Rytas” society and maintaining the content of its work was outstanding. Because of the authority of the clergymen Reinys, Čibiras, and Kraujalis in society, “Rytas” took a national-patriotic direction, while ordinary priests made a nice contribution to the practical awakening of the provinces and education. A beautiful partnership between the clergy and secular intellectuals in the strategic leadership of “Rytas” and everyday practice should be emphasized. In 1915-1918 along with other national societies (“Saulė”, “Žiburys”, “Blaivybė”), “Rytas” maintained Lithuanian culture, and its activities created a broad public base for the Lithuanian state, and later helped to build the structure of educational and cultural activities. But, most importantly, through its libraries, reading-rooms, bookshops, schools and courses, the society stayed in contact with the people. The national societies educated village children and young people, trained teachers, and spread the patriotic spirit in unfavourable and sometimes hostile conditions. [From the publication, p. 83]