Self-proclaimed diplomats: Catalan-Lithuanian cooperation during WWI

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Katalonai; Lietuviai; Nacionalizmas; Pirmasis pasaulinis karas, 1914-1918 (Didysis karas; World War I); Tarptautinis bendradarbiavimas; Catalans; International cooperation; Lithuanians; Nationalism; World War I.

ENThe topic of international cooperation between national movements before the end of World War I (WWI) has still not received sufficient scholarly attention. It is common for national historiographies to concentrate on the case of their own nation. When it comes to international relations, however, connections with neighboring nations and national movements – chief adversaries in the achievement of national goals – are usually prioritized. Nevertheless, even before and especially during the war there was a vibrant scene where non-dominant nationalities could practice international diplomacy, conduct discussions, share experiences, build coalitions, and so on. This article explores one of such examples of international relations conducted between the representatives of two nations – the Catalans and the Lithuanians. They came in contact before the war at the Paris-based Union des Nationalités (the Union of Nationalities), an organization that was designed to unite and support non-dominant national movements. Despite being located on the opposite sides of Europe and having no apparent direct connections, the Lithuanians and the Catalans established common ground for cooperation, which especially peaked during WWI. [From the publication]

• Did the government seek to russify Lithuanians and Poles in the Northwest region after the uprising of 1863-64? / Darius Staliūnas. Kritika (Cambridge). 2004, Vol. 5, no. 2, p. 273-289.
• Juozas Gabrys Tautų Sąjungos užkulisiuose: politinė veikla / Monika Šipelytė. Lietuvos istorijos studijos 2022, t. 49, p. 43-63.
• Juozo Gabrio veikla Tautų Sąjungos užkulisiuose: žurnalistika ar diplomatija? / Monika Šipelytė. Lietuvos istorijos studijos 2021, t. 48, p. 33-51.
• Konferencijos Šveicarijoje 1915–1916 m : Lietuvos atkūrimo projektų sandūros / Monika Šipelytė. Lietuvos istorijos metraštis. 2018, 2018/1, p. 145-176.
• Kova už valstiečių sielas : caro valdžia, Lietuvos visuomenė ir pradinis švietimas XIX a. viduryje / Antanas Kulakauskas. Kaunas : Vytauto Didžiojo universiteto leidykla, 2000. 159 p.
• Lietuvių konferencijos Lozanoje 1916 m. – kokia ateitis Lietuvai buvo planuojama? / Monika Šipelytė. Lietuvos istorijos metraštis. 2018, 2018/2, p. 73-100.
• Making Russians: meaning and practice of russification in Lithuania and Belarus after 1863 / Darius Staliūnas. Amsterdam ; New York (N.Y.) : Rodopi, 2007. xii, 465 p.