Tarpukario modernizmas provincijoje : Kurnėnų mokykla

LTStraipsnyje aptariama Kurnėnų mokyklos, esančios Alytaus rajone, mecenavimo ir statybų istorija. Amerikos lietuvis Laurynas Radziukynas, gimęs ir augęs Kurnėnuose, 1934 m. skyrė 160 tūkst. litų pradinės mokyklos gimtinėje statybai ir įrengimui. Mokyklos projektas parengtas Amerikoje. Dauguma statybinių medžiagų bei įrangos detalių taip pat nupirkta Amerikoje ir sausumos bei vandens keliais atgabenta į Lietuvą. Mokyklos statyba su pertraukomis truko dvejus metus. 1936 m. pastatyta mokykla buvo aprūpinta modernia technologine įranga: veikė centrinis šildymas, biologiniu būdu tvarkoma kanalizacija, įrengti dušai, praustuvės ir vonia. Šalia mokyklos pastato pastatyta vėjo jėgainė – siurblys, naudotas vandeniui pumpuoti iš 97 metrų gylio artezinio šulinio į rezervuarą vandens bokšte. Mokyklos bokštas dekoruotas keramiko Vytauto Brazdžiaus sukurtu keraminiu Lietuvos herbu – Vyčiu. Prie mokyklos įrengta aikštelė fizinės kultūros ugdymui, įveistas sodas. 1990 m. Kurnėnų mokyklos statinių kompleksas įrašytas į Kultūros vertybių registrą. Mokykla veikė iki 2008 m. Šiuo metu nenaudojama, apleista. Ieškoma naujų panaudos ir pritaikymo sprendinių bei finansavimo šaltinių tvarkybos darbams. [Iš leidinio]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Laurynas Radziukynas; Kurnėnų mokykla; Vėjo jėgainė; Tarpukaris; Architektūra; Lietuvos herbas (Vytis); Vytautas Brazdžius; Laurynas Radziukynas; Kurnėnai school; Wind turbine; Interwar period; Architecture; Lithuanian coat of arms (Vytis); Vytautas Brazdžius.

ENThe article is devoted to Laurynas Radziukynas – a Lithuanian-American philantropist who funded the construction of a school in his native town of Kurnėnai (near Alytus). The construction of the school started in 1934 and was finished in the fall of 1936. The construction and installation works were funded by Radziukynas. He donated 160 thousand Litas for the project, and the county board contributed another 11 thousand. The project for the school building was developed in the United States, and included two apartments for teachers and two classrooms. Most of the building materials, stylish school desks in three different sizes, modern blackboards, windows and windowpanes, doors and locks, parquet, plumbing, radiators and other interior pieces were also brought in from the United States. Only the bricks and roof tiles were bought in Marijampolė. The school tower was topped by a colourful ceramic Lithuanian coat of arms (Vytis), designed by Vytautas Brazdžius. The school was equipped with highly modern plumbing for its time, including central heating, biologically processed sewage system, and a shower. A wind farm was constructed next to the school, equipped with a pump that delivered water from a 97 metre-deep artesian well to a reservoir atop a water tower. The wind turbine and the pump were operational until 1975. It was the most modern school in the interwar Lithuania. The upkeep of the school grounds also received considerable attention: there were spacious sporting grounds and a large garden nearby, and rows of coniferous and deciduous trees were planted along the school’s perimeter. The teachers living permanently on the school grounds ensured that the premises were looked after like a real home, not just an institution. During the Soviet era, the school was subjected to ideological dictate just like other educational institutions.The founder’s name was not to be mentioned, American school desks were removed from the classrooms, and the coat of arms of independent Lithuania (Vytis) was plastered over. With the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, there were hopes for reviving the Kurnėnai school. The Vytis on the tower was uncovered and restored, the remaining American school desks were returned to the classrooms. In an effort to underscore the architectural, technological, and historic value of the school complex, it was entered into the Register of Cultural Properties of Lithuania. The year 1996 was difficult for the school: in winter, authentic radiators developed cracks due to improper maintenance. Following an overhaul, the number of original interior details declined considerably. As the number of students consistently decreased, the school was closed in 2008. The state of the building continues to worsen every year. The greatest challenge today is finding a suitable use for this unique school complex and a financial lifeline for restoring it. [From the publication]