Senieji Rokiškio krašto mediniai kryžiai

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Koplytstulpiai; Kryžių fiksavimas; Mediniai kryžiai; Rokiškio kraštas; Rokiškis; Stogastulpiai; Šiaurės rytai; Chapels; Cross-cavers; Fixation of crosses; Lithuania; North-east; Rokiškis; Rokiškis region; Roofed pillars; Wooden crosses.

ENThe publication briefly reviews the first written sources about wooden crosses in Rokiškis region, discusses the prevalence of crosses, mentions the cross-cavers who worked in this area and specifies the persons who were the first to fix (draw, describes, photograph), investigate and popularize them. It also analyzes the traditions of erecting crosses in this region as wellas their prevalence. The article points out that mention of the former wooden crosses in the north-east Lithuania was made as early as the 4th May 1648 – in the pledge of Jonušas Radvila, a field hetman, the Count of Biržai and Dubingiai, to rebuild the crosses destroyed by his subjects from Svėdasai estate at the roads to Užpaliai and Vyžuonas. Mention is also made of the 1724 inventory of Kvedariškis (Fedoriškis) estate, where in the author’s opinion is the first known reference to the cross and sculpture in the area between Biržai and Rokiškis. The author indicates that the first drawings of wooden crosses appeared in Lithuania in the 19th c. The artist Alfredas Remeris (1832–1897) was the first to draw wooden crosses and roofed wayside shrine-type poles. Among the artists who fixed the crosses, noteworthy are Pranciškus Kšivdas-Polkovskis (Franciszek Krzywda-Polkowski), Antanas Jaroševičius, Kazys Rimonis and the ethnographer Kazys Paunksnis.Among the first investigators the author mentions Liudvikas Jaroševičius, Mykolas Gadonas, Adomas Jakštas, the 20th-century investigators Vandalinas Šuškevičius, Michailas Brenšteinas, Bronislovas Pilsudskis, Zigmantas Glogeris and Paulius Galaunė. From among the photographers noteworthy are Juozapas Žiogas, Adomas Varnas and Balys Buračas. Among the cross-carvers, who worked in Rokiškis region, the author mentions the names of Steponas (?) Valiulis, Konstantinas Bazelis, Karolis Dagys, Kazimieras Gasiūnas, Steponas’ son and their works as well as the localities where they were standing or were erected. [From the publication]