| Abstract [eng] |
The dissertation examines Lithuanian textbooks published during the emigration period from 1945 to 1990. Drawing on theoretical insights from Western and Lithuanian philosophers and cultural scholars, it investigates the role of literary texts presented in these textbooks in shaping and fostering a sense of conscious Lithuanianness. During the early phase of emigration in Germany, the Lithuanian community lived with the hope of returning to their homeland. Despite challenging circumstances, they managed to preserve and adapt textbooks from the independent Lithuanian state, or create new ones. As hope for return diminished and emigrants dispersed across various countries, Lithuanian education shifted to voluntary Saturday schools, necessitating the development of new educational programs and textbooks. This process demonstrated the community's exceptional commitment to the school. The textbooks were authored by members of the Lithuanian intelligentsia who had fled their homeland. Over time, particularly in the United States, some of these textbooks became foundational Lithuanian works. An analysis of textbooks reveals that a key element in nurturing conscious Lithuanianness was the repeated inclusion of literary names and texts, as well as the stories conveyed through these textbooks. Narratives about Lithuanian historical and cultural figures, whose values and actions embodied the essence of being a conscious Lithuanian, played a particularly significant role in shaping the identity of the young human being. |
