Choir of the Tilsit Society of Among the participants of Lithuanian Chanters and the exhibition of Lithuanian its conductor Vydūnas, women artists, 1973 1933

Lithuanian Collector Coins

That period saw the emergence of studies about Vydūnas’ oeuvre: Vydūno dramaturgija tions and intellectuals from various countries. The letter caught the attention of the media in (The Dramatic Art of Vydūnas) by Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas, Vydūno gyvenimas (The Life many countries. After marking his 70th birthday in a prison cell, Vydūnas was released but left of Vydūnas) by Salys Šemerys and Vilimas Vydūnas by Vaižgantas. In 1927, Vydūnas was under police surveillance. The case was only dismissed in 1940. COIN DEDICATED TO THE 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF recognised as an honorary member of the worldwide association of writers (PEN Club). In During World War II, Vydūnas wrote several books and articles in the Lithuanian and Ger- VILHELMAS STOROSTA-VYDŪNAS 1928, he was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University man languages (Žmonijos sąmoningumas (Human Consciousness), Svarstymai apie sąmonės of Kaunas. In 1933, he was elected an honorary member of the Lithuanian Society of Writ- slėpiningumą (Considerations on the Mysteriousness of Consciousness), etc.), as well as an au- Denomination: €20 ers. In 1940, he was even considered as a nominee for the Nobel Prize. tobiographical story about his experiences in prison and his refl ections (Kalėjimas – laisvėjimas Composition: silver Ag 925 After World War I, the life of the Lithuanians in Lithuania Minor saw radical changes. (Imprisonment and Liberation), 1947). He also started translating the Bhagavad Gita, one of Weight (g): 28.28 Even though their cultural activities continued for some time and the society led by Vy- the most important sacred scriptures of Hinduism, from Sanskrit to the Lithuanian language Diameter (mm): 38.61 dūnas celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1920, several years later the Lithuanians became (1947). Quality: proof the target of chauvinist attacks, which were incited increasingly starting from 1925, while With the front line coming closer, Vydūnas evacuated into inland Germany and spent the Mintage: 2,500 pcs cultural activities were labelled as the propaganda of Greater Lithuania and seen as a rest of his life in the town of Detmold, Westphalia, where he settled down in 1946. During the Issued in 2018 manifestation of treason. In 1930, the whole of Prussia held tumultuous celebrations of diffi cult journey, which lasted nearly two years, he devoted much time to writing: in 1945, he On the edge of the coin: the 700th anniversary of conquests by the Teutonic Order in the Prussian and Lithuanian wrote an essay Tauresnio žmoniškumo užtekėjimas (The Emergence of a More Noble Humane- KLAUSYTI NORIU IR TARNAUT ŠVIESYBEI, DORYBĖS, ŽMONIŠKUMO BŪT PAVEIKSLU lands. Vydūnas responded to these festivities with Septyni šimtmečiai vokiečių ir lietuvių ness) and a work entitled Didysis klausimas (The Basic Issue, in the German language) about the (I WANT TO SERVE AND BE GUIDED BY THE LIGHT, BE AN IMAGE OF VIRTUE AND HUMANITY) santykių (Seven Hundred Years of German-Lithuanian Relations, 1932), a book written in tragic fate of the German nation. In Detmold, he produced a study about Kristijonas Donelaitis the German language. Similar to Vydūnas’ press articles or his tragedy Pasaulio gaisras, in the German and Lithuanian languages, in which he interpreted the poem Metai (The Sea- Graphic designs by Lukas Šiupšinskas (reverse), Alvydas Ladyga and Rytis Valantinas (obverse) this major historiosophic work expressed the concerns of the Lithuanian humanist about sons) as a framework for the survival of the nation. the sad situation of his compatriots and even his sorrow about the Germans who vener- While living in Detmold, Vydūnas took a very active part in Information at the Bank of Lithuania ated Nazism and, with their behaviour, brutally destroyed the cultural values instead of the cultural activities of the Lithuanian expatriates and delivered +370 5 268 0316 adopting and promoting them. Vydūnas’ books did not stay speeches at their conventions and other gatherings. He was elected [email protected] www.lb.lt unnoticed by those to whom they were addressed. Septyni as an honorary member by the Society of Lithuanian Writers in Exile, COIN DEDICATED TO šimtmečiai vokiečių ir lietuvių santykių was confi scated on the Council of Lithuania Minor, the Lithuanian Union of Journalists THE 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF the grounds of being “harmful for the vital interests of the and many other organisations. A youth fund, which was founded in VILHELMAS STOROSTA-VYDŪNAS Reich” and clearing the way for the annexation of a part of Chicago in 1952 with the purpose of providing support to the Lithu- Coins were minted at Eastern Prussia to Lithuania. The remaining stock of copies anian youths aiming to complete their academic studies, was named the Lithuanian Mint of Pasaulio gaisras was confi scated simultaneously. after Vydūnas with his consent. This fund has done much to keep www.lithuanian-mint.lt The rise of the Nazis (in particular, the rise to power alive the memory of the prominent fi gure in the Lithuanian national Lithuanian Collector Coins by Hitler) was accompanied by harassment and threats. revival and disseminate his ideas to the exile audience. © Lietuvos bankas, 2018 In 1935, the then authorities issued a blanket ban on all Vydūnas died on 20 February 1953. In 1991, his remains were Coins photographed by Arūnas Baltėnas societies of Lithuanians. On 11 March 1938, Vydūnas was brought back to now independent Lithuania and laid to rest at the Designed by Liudas Parulskis detained and spent two months in prison. The Lithuanian Bitėnai cemetery near Rambynas – the pantheon of Lithuania Minor. The publication uses photographs from the Lithuanian Central State Archive (LCVA), the Maironis Lithuanian Refugee travel document issued Society of Writers then sent a memorandum about the im- Literature Museum, the Rare Publications Unit of the Klaipėda University Library, and the personal archive of Vaclovas to Vydūnas in 1949 in Detmold prisonment of Vyd nas to international writers’ organisa- Prof. Dr. Aušra Martišiūtė-Linartienė Bagdonavičius. (Germany) ū Published by the Bank of Lithuania, Gedimino pr. 6, LT-01103 Vilnius Printed by UAB INDIGO print Childhood Wedding, home in 1891 House in Tilsit With the President during Vydūnas, Hugo Höppener Jonaičiai the exhibition of Lithuanian (Fidus) and Viktor women artists, 1930 Falkenhahn

Playing the harp

Vydūnas (real name Vilhelmas Storosta, Vilhelmas Storostas, or Wilhelm Storost in German, its independence by way of the March 11 Act. It is therefore meaningful that the Seimas of the classics of the Lithuanian literature, for instance, Probočių šešėliai (Shadows of the Ancestors, 1868–1953) was a writer, philosopher and a society figure of Prussian Lithuania, or Lithuania Republic of Lithuania has declared the year 2018 as the Year of Vydūnas in order to mark his 1908), Amžina ugnis (The Eternal Flame, 1913) or Pasaulio gaisras (The World on Fire, 1928). His Minor. The works of Vydūnas in various cultural domains are underpinned by the commitment 150th birth anniversary. writings also include 12 works in philosophy, one of which, entitled Sąmonė (Consciousness, to foster a nation of conscious and free people capable of contributing as fully as possible to the Vilhelmas Storosta was born in Jonaičiai, a village near Šilutė, which was then part of the 1936), contains the most consistent presentation of Vydūnas’ philosophy. strengthening of humanity in the global culture. Kingdom of Prussia. Holding true to the Protestant traditions characteristic of the Prussian Vydūnas got actively involved in the activities of the Lithuanian Scientific Society, which With his philosophy of humanism, Vydūnas stands out among the pioneers of the Lithua- Lithuanians, parents sought to raise their children as honest individuals respecting Lithuani- was founded in Vilnius on the initiative of Jonas Basanavičius in 1907, and joined the cultural nian national revival. He strongly believed that the national spirit is a prerequisite for fostering anism. Following the lead of his father, future Vydūnas decided to become a teacher. process of the whole Lithuanian nation. Lietuvos praeitis ir dabartis (Lithuania’s Past and humanity, which empowers the nation with strength that cannot be broken by any forces. In After graduating from the Ragainė teacher training seminary in 1888, he taught Present), a Lithuanian history book written by him, was published in the German Vydūnas’ view, the development of a free, conscious and creative individual is inseparable from at schools in Kintai and Tilsit. While working as a teacher, he spent his vacations (1916), French (1916), Polish (1919) and Russian (1921) languages. He published a man for himself, a man for the nation, a man for the mankind. studying, as a non-degree student, at the universities of Greifswald, Halle, articles about the Lithuanian literature and folklore in the German and Swiss The ideas of humanism are reflected in Vydūnas’ philosophical essays, op-ed articles and Leipzig and Berlin, where he delved into philosophy, literature, arts, sociolo- press, produced a dictionary Vokiečių–lietuvių žodžių rinkinys (A Collection plays. His ideas fostered the spiritual growth and national self-respect of the Lithuanians of Lith- gy, natural sciences, and law as well as studied Sanskrit. of German-Lithuanian Words, 1916) as well as textbooks Vadovas lietuvių uania Minor; he vigorously stood against the ruthless policy of denationalisation of his compa- The talent of Vydūnas as a writer started to unfold while he was still kalbai pramokti (A Guide to Mastering the Lithuanian Language, 1912, fol- triots and made every effort to promote the development of free individuals in Lithuania when studying at the Ragainė teacher training seminary. He wrote in the Ger- lowed by the 2nd edition in 1924) and Įvadas į lietuvių kalbą (Introduction it won back its independence. During the years of Soviet occupation, the ideas promoted by man language that was the only teaching and spoken language at the to the Lithuanian Language, published in the German language, 1919). Vydūnas served as an inspiration to the post-war guerrilla fighters in their struggle, and later seminary. Similar to Vincas Kudirka, Vydūnas was strongly influenced by While taking part in the International Congress of National Minorities, he – to an ethnocultural movement, which chose the path of cultural resistance. Vydūnas’ idea of Aušra – a newspaper published in the Lithuanian language in Ragainė repeatedly defended the rights of the Prussian Lithuanians and the Lith- non-violent resistance found its expression in the struggle of Lithuanians for independence be- and Tilsit. Starting from 1895, he got actively involved in the Lithuanian uanians of the Vilnius region (in 1930, 1931 and 1934) and used the in- tween 1988 and 1991. In today’s globalised world, the insights of Vydūnas about the identity cultural activities, which included work at the Birutė Society (a Lithuanian ternational stand to demand that the national minorities residing in the and value of each nation, harmonious cohabitation of all European nations and spiritual growth cultural society of Lithuania Minor), the establishment of the Society of territory of Germany be awarded the rights identical to those demanded gain particular importance. Lithuanian Chanters in Tilsit, publication of op-ed articles and writing of by Germany from other countries where the German nationals lived. This prominent figure in Lithuania’s culture started to make his way back into our historical plays and works in philosophy. He ardently encouraged the youth to keep Following the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, Vydūnas got memory during the formation of Sąjūdis, known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, and in the songs of their ancestors in memory, to cherish their mother tongue, actively involved in cultural activities. He believed that a free state would particular with the establishment of Vydūnas Society in 1988. The non-governmental organisation their national identity and humanity – to be individuals worthy of respect. manage to implement the ideals he was committed to. He went back to edu- has been promoting and enhancing the humanistic ideas propagated by Vydūnas for nearly three The chosen pen name of Vydūnas means wisdom, the quintessential things cational work and taught literature at the Telšiai Secondary School and history decades. The importance of Vydūnas for the Republic of Lithuania was acknowledged with the that a person has perceived, comprehended and beheld. As the most efficient of culture at the Klaipėda Music School, did lecturing at the courses for teachers A THINKER AND 200 litas banknote designed by Rytis Valantinas: the humanist of Lithuania Minor got his right- way forward, Vydūnas chose to develop the moral resistance of his nation. He in Palanga. Darbymetis, a magazine published by Vydūnas, his social and political ful place in a symbolic hall of fame of Lithuanian culture – alongside Žemaitė, Motiejus Valanči- sought to develop a ‘free individual’ – a man for himself, the nation and the man- essays promoting justice in Lithuania’s social life and the development of high cul- A DILIGENT us, Jonas Jablonskis, Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas, Maironis, Jonas Basanavičius, Simonas kind – through the wakening of historical memory and the formation of values. ture – everything was dedicated to Lithuania. In his works Mūsų uždavinys (Our Task, Daukantas and Vincas Kudirka. In the State of Lithuania that was restored on February 16, Vydūnas Under his leadership, the activity of the Society of Chanters ignited a true Lithuani- 1911, followed by the 2nd edition in 1921), Tautos gyvata (The Life of the Nation, 1920), PROPAGATOR OF inspired many schoolchildren, including future world renowned personalities, such as Marija Al- an cultural movement in Lithuania Minor, which saw the establishment of numerous Sveikata, jaunumas, grožė (Health, Youth, Beauty, 1928), Vydūnas explained his ideas and seikaitė-Gimbutienė, an archaeologist, Liudas Truikys, an artist, Jonas Mekas, an avant-garde film- cultural societies. During more than three decades, Vydūnas created nearly 50 plays, in- showed ways to seek spiritual enlightenment as well as identified the moral standards that MORAL REVIVAL maker, and many others, to pursue a creative development of culture inherited from their ances- cluding dramas, tragedies, mystery plays and comedies, for the performers of the society and should be developed. He delivered numerous lectures in various Lithuanian towns and cit- OF THE NATION tors. Vydūnas has already been reintroduced into the school curricula in Lithuania, which regained published these works as books printed in a highly aesthetic style. Many of his works became ies, forged close links with Lithuania’s intelligentsia, academic youth and common people.