| Abstract [eng] |
The second half of the 19th century is related to 1pskr.11 movements in different countries. During this period many Lithuanians left their homeland. The fact that Lithuania was situated between Russia and Germany facilitated their emigration. The largest number of Lithuanians migrated to the USA (1pskr.1 from the ports of Germany and Liepaja). The emigration of Lithuanians to America is a rather widely discussed topic. There are numerous historical sources about their social, cultural, political and everyday life beyond the Atlantic ocean. However, we should not forget that the U.S.A. was not the only place Lithuanians migrated to. As the railway lines were built, communication with the neighbour states became more convenient, therefore, Lithuanians moved to industrial Latvian cities, such as Riga, Liepaja and Jelgava, seeking job as at that time Lithuania was still an underdeveloped agrarian country. The biggest number of Lithuanians gathered in Riga – the centre of the governorate of Livland at that time, where local ethnic minorities had quite good opportunities to 1pskr.1 themselves in culture and education. Having these conditions Lithuanians began to form groups, which later became large fellowships with prominent representatives, active movement and merits to both Latvia and Lithuania. At present there is a lack of thorough researches about the activity of Lithuanian fellowships in Latvia. Nevertheless, a few researches were made by both Latvian and Lithuanian researchers. However, they only discussed life of Lithuanians in 1pskr.11n general but did not 1pskr.1 education and culture. For this reason in my research I focus on educational and cultural activity of Lithuanian fellowships in Riga from the end of 19th until the first half of 20th century. What concerns Lithuanian imigrants and the activity of their fellowships in Riga, first of all we have to find out the reasons why Lithuanians migrated to this seaport of Russian empire; what were political and economical conditions in the governorates of Kaunas, Kuršas and Livland and later in the republics of Lithuania and Latvia; what were the reasons of such choice; why Lithuanians were able to 1pskr.1 themselves more actively in Riga than in Lithuania. It is important to find out what motivated Lithuanians to establish fellowships and what was the nature of their activity. To summarize the research, it can be said that the first features of socio-cultural activity of Lithuanian fellowships in Riga were noticeable in the end of 19th century. With the help of fellowships Lithuanians cultivated Lithuanian culture through education, press and participated in politics. |
