| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY Lithuanian St. Casimir Association (for educating and fostering youth) was established in 1925. It was one of the most influential cultural and educational organizations in the country, regarding all working Lithuanian associations in Vilnius region. The need for it was immense as most of the residents in Vilnius region were countrymen. The aim of the association was to promote the education of Lithuanian youth, as well as to maintain the national identity. For this aim, the association’s departments, libraries, reading-rooms were being established in various regions. Lectures, courses and cultural events were being organized as well. The association worked according to its rules which, after long struggle, were ratified by the government. The main its departments were Central Board and General Members Meeting. Central Board comprised five people and a chairperson. Lithuanian St Casimir Association (LSCA) cooperated with “Rytas” educational association and Temporary Committee of Vilnius Lithuanians (TCVL). The latter provided financial and other support. Through the mediation of it, through partially conspiratorial channels the press and literature needed for education was available from Lithuania. The founders of the LSCA were authoritative priests, and the long-term chairmen were A. Viskantas and V. Taškūnas. During the year 1925-1930 the association managed to establish many of its departments and in 1935 the record was reached as even 477 departments were working at the time. Admittedly, cooperation with other Lithuanian organizations was successful and Lithuanians’ cultural and educational needs more or less were satisfied. The governmental institutions in Vilnius region and especially voivode L. Bocianskis undertook repressive activities in order to stop the further development of the LSCA. From the beginning of the year 1936 the departments of the association in border regions were starting to be closed, the government announced by propaganda that doing this the internal order was warranted. In principle, the Polish local authority was violating the main regulations, the constitution, etc. as it was illegal persecution. The chairman of the association kept writing letters of complaint for Vilnius governmental institutions, however, the persecution would not stop. Appeals to the most authoritative Polish politics in Warsaw also had no effect. In 1937 the further closure of the departments of the LSCA was being continued. It is important to mention that the representatives of the government were trying to alienate the property of closing departments, therefore, the potential of the organization was decreasing. At the end of December, in 1937 Lithuanian St Casimir Association was closed down. That was one of the most eminent Lithuanian organizations in Vilnius region. |
