How book smugglers kept Lithuanian language alive
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A Lithuanian book smuggler. / Public domain
On Tuesday, Lithuania is marking the Book Smugglers’ Day (Knygnešio diena) to commemorate the people who are credited with keeping the Lithuanian language alive during repressive Tsarist policies in the 19th century.
“Their goal was to save the Lithuanian language and to enhance the power of the written word,” the country’s Foreign Minister tweeted on Tuesday.
Today #Lithuania celebrates the Day of the #Book Smugglers (Knygnešio diena) .
Their goal was to save the Lithuanian language and to enhance the power of the written word - the story of the XIX century #Lithuanian book smugglers ⬇️.https://t.co/NOq3W1yany Lithuania MFA (@LithuaniaMFA) March 16, 2021
Servant of the Tsar and friend of Lithuania – unique story of Russian Governor Pyotr Verevkin
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Sofia and Pyotr Verevkin / Society of Marianne Werefkin
What do we know about a loyal servant of the Russian Empire who played a crucial role in Lithuania s drive towards independence?
This story was originally published by LRT Novosti, the Russian-language service at the Lithuanian pubic broadcaster.
On February 16, 1918, Council of Lithuania signed the country s Independence Act, commemorated today as the State Restoration Day. Traditionally, the event is portrayed as the result of a window of opportunity, and targetted efforts that were achieved under under favourable circumstances.