| Abstract [eng] |
A number of works by Lithuanian-American authors have as of yet neither been published in books nor included in the research of the history of Lithuanian journalism - especially the works which were found in American-Lithuanian periodicals. Nonetheless, these articles and other materials of the same nature shed light on what historical importance these Lithuanian periodicals had, revealing the actual publications as well as the people behind them. In some cases, it was the Lithuanian-Americans who were the first to consider, or newly interpret areas of the field (i.e. history of Lithuanian journalism). This historiographical article describes the works concerning the very beginnings of our national journalism (late 19th century - early 20th century) as well as the first publications which were found in the periodicals and books of the Lithuanian-American periodicals. (This was a time period when Lithuanian publications were banned in Russia.) The first translation of Lithuanian Minor25 Lithuanian newspapers were offered in the Lithuanian-American newspaper, Gazieta lietuviska [The Lithuanian Gazette], in 1879. In the paper, Mikalojus Akelaitis wrote that in the land of the Prussians (otherwise, what is known as Lithuania Minor) a few Lithuanian newspapers were being published, but according to Akelaitis, "desiring to become German, Lithuanians in Prussia, who in essence are true Lithuanians did not try to read such publications."26 Akelaitis began to evaluate Lithuanian newspapers based on their nationalistic perspective (i.e. their Lithuanianess or the spirit of the nation). Already in 1885, an attempt was made in the paper of the US publisher, Jonas Sliupas, Lietuviskasis balsas [The Lithuanian Voice] to join Lithuanians publications into one mutual context and tradition... |
