110 GRANDCHILDREN OF MYKOLAS KLEOPAS OGINSKIS – THE DUKES OF RIETAVAS AND PLUNGË

BOGDANAS PRANCIÐKUS JUOZAPAS six-year music school, called the orchestra, where gifted MYKOLAS OGINSKIS (1848–1909) children of the region were taught not only to play the The Duke Bogdanas Oginskis (born in 1848, died violin and the organ but also subjects of music theory. In on 25th of March 1909) was one year older than his 1893, the symphony orchestra was formed in Rietavas, brother Mykolas Severinas Markas Oginskis (1849– where the best graduates – who could play the music of 1902). When their father died, Bogdanas was 15 years the most famous composers – from the local music school old. He received a good and proper education in the played. There are references in a historiography that the parental home. When Bogdanas inherited his father's idea of founding an opera troupe was discussed as well. manor, he was still young and despite that, perfectly It is known that overture of Tchaikovsky "1812" was took over the matters and continued father's work in performed in Rietavas for the first time. M. K. Oginskis' Rietavas. He aspired to adapt the current scientific, polonaises were also often played in Rietavas. The or- technical developments and cutting-edge farming chestra performed in , Latvia, chose farther des- techniques in this Samogitian town. In 1877, he mar- tinations as well." ried the daughter of Kazimierz Wojciech Potulicki Ethnographer Eleonora Ravickienë writes: and Maria Zamoyska Maria Gabriela Potulicka. She "Bogdanas continued to develop the industry, es- was born on 18th of July 1855, died on 18th of Janu- tablished a large iron foundry in Rietavas. There we- ary 1927. Historian Dr. Aldona Praðmontaitë wri- re manufactured agricultural machinery and imple- tes233: ments. The factory employed about 150 workers. Fur- "In 1882, the first phone line connected Rietavas, niture and soap factories, sawmills and other buil- Plungë and Kretinga manors. It was the idea of Bogda- dings were built. He was also the patron of culture, nas Oginskis. A decade later, in 1892, another idea of for the book smugglers organized to deliver Lithua- B. Oginskis was implemented – the first power plant nian press from Prussia to Lithuania, provided them was built. B. Oginskis had many achievements in horse "ðipkartës" (Ger. Schiffsfahrkarte – ship card) that in breeding. Nowadays recognized as internationally pre- a face of danger would help flee abroad. [...] He was served breed of Þemaitukai remained only under the con- kind-hearted, a powerhouse, a bit eccentric, but stin- cern of Rietavas manor host during the second half of the gy, therefore, litigated with peasants for pasture and 19th century [...] It is hard to overestimate B. Oginskis forest a lot."234 merits in the development and dissemination of musical In 1906, B. Oginskis got sick with a rapidly culture: in the second half of the 19th century Rietavas progressing neurological disease. His wife Maria Gab- musical life was very active, again mainly because of his riela tried different treatments – took him to hospi- initiatives. Suffice to mention that, in 1872, under the tals of Germany and Prussia, however, after revea- example of European manors, there was established a ling that the treatment failed, she brought him back

233 Aldona Praðmantaitë, "Kunigaikðèio Bogdano Oginskio (1848–1909) krikðto ir krikðtynø ðventës intriga: faktai ir interpeliacijos", Kunigaikðèiai Oginskiai Lietuvos istorijoje. Kultûrinës veiklos pëdsakai ("Duke Bogdanas Oginskis (1848–1909) Baptism and Christening Celebration Intrigue: Facts and Interpelations", Dukes Oginski in a History of Lithuania. Footsteps of Cultural Activity), , 2010, p. 213–236. 234 E. Ravickienë, Atsisveikinimas su tëvyne, p. 28–29. 111 On the left: fragment of the Rietavas manor (now called Laurynas Ivinskis Street). Photo by Vytas Rutkauskas to Rietavas. There after a few months Bogdanas (on defended their church. After B. Oginskis found out about 8th of April 1909) died. He was buried in Ogins- Kraþiai events, he made sure that the news about the kiai chapel-mausoleum in Rietavas. In the same pla- crackdown would spread all over the world, in order to ce was buried Bagdanas Oginkis' mother Olga Ka- condemn the Tsar policy directed against the Lithua- linowska-Oginskienë in 1899. In 1902, here was nian nation. In 1895, the unique water tower with a also buried Bogdanas' brother the duke of Plungë wind power plant was built and equipped in Rietavas. Mykolas Oginskis. MYKOLAS MIKALOJUS SEVERINAS For many years Bogdanas Oginskis' wife Maria Gab- MARKAS OGINSKIS (1849–1902) riela took care of orphans in Rietavas. She paid the Duke Mykolas Oginskis of Plungë (in historiog- price of their education. E. Ravickienë in her publi- raphy he is usually called as Mykolas Nikolajus and cations asserts that Duchess Maria helped for more Mykolas) was born on 25th of April 1849 in Rieta- than 500 people. When duke B. Oginskis got sick, vas, died on 24th of March 1902 in Nice (France). Rietavas orphans and 30 musicians were taken to M. He studied in the Boys Gymnasium of Ðiauliai. My- G. Oginskienë's father manor in Bobrek (near Aust- kolas was a great music lover and a connoisseur, a ria). Not long after her husband's death, she went to patron; he played several musical instruments. For live there too. Bobrek manor passed to her owners- some time, he was a commander of Telðiai County hip as father's legacy. M. G. Oginskienë died in 1927 nobility (he work 10 years in this office, when, in in Potulice () at the age of 74. 1886, he was replaced by Alexander Schulz) and the When Bogdanas Oginskis governed in Rietavas, head of Telðiai, chairman and chief of a volunteer seven mills, six sawmills, a butter and cheese factory firefighters association. were built and in 1871, manor orangery was reconst- M. Oginskis married Polish countess, maid of ho- ructed. In 1873, department of Animal Care Asso- nor of the Austrian Emperor Maria Teresa Kaspara ciation of Russia (worked until 1902) was establis- Skurzewska (1857–1945). hed in Rietavas. B. Oginskis actively participated in After the death of his father Irenëjus Oginskis, its work. In the same year, veterinary clinic was es- M. Oginskis inherited Zalesye manor in Aðmena tablished in Rietavas; the dukes Oginskiai provided County (current Belarus). Dukes Oginskiai have not the premises for it. lived there for more than a decade. For a while he In 1874, the construction of St. Michael the Ar- lived at brother's Bogdanas home in Rietavas, hel- changel Church was completed (began in 1853). It ped him manage the matters of manor. On 21st of was neo-Romanesque, the cross plan basilica February 1873 he bought Plungë manor, Plungë with two towers and semicircular apse. The church and several farmsteads (Aleksandravas, Jovaiðiðkës, really adorned Rietavas town. Karklënai, Plungë, Santakos, Stonovièiai, Þutautai), In 1875, the first agricultural exhibition was held which were in the territory of Telðiai Volost of Kau- in Lithuania (it is also known that before it, in 1846, nas Governorate, from the state adviser, count Pla- an agricultural exhibition was held in , Prie- ton Zubov. Hereby, M. Oginskis became the last kulë, which was populated by . The Agri- governor of Plungë manor. cultural Society of Klaipëda County then organized After becoming the governor of Plungë, M. Ogins- it). In 1881, under B. Oginskis initiative, society for kis took reforms immediately. M. M. Oginskis built fostering the Þemaitukai breed was established in Ra- a new brick neo-Renaissance residential palace (the seiniai. In 1890, the same Þemaitukai society was es- construction was finished in 1879) on a coast of tablished in Rietavas. creek Babrungas, where the old Plungë manor sto- B. Oginskis supported the Lithuanian National Awa- od. Oginskis lived in Plungë. kening. He supported Kraþiai residents, who, in 1893, M. M. Oginskis had a family museum in the pa-

235 J. Skurdauskienë, "Kunigaikðèio Mykolo Mikalojaus Oginskio lituanistinë veikla tautinio kultûrinio sàjûdþio metu (XIX a. antroji pusë – XX a. pradþia), Lietuvos dvarai: kultûros ir ðaltiniø tyrinëjimai, ("Duke Mykolas Mikalojus Oginskis Lituanistic Activities at the Time of National Cultural Movement (19th c. second half – beginning of 20th c."), Lithuanian manors: Culture and Researh of the Sources, [concluded by R. Butvilaitë], Vilnius, Acta Academiae Artium Vilnensis, No 47–48), 2008, p. 217–225; "Kunigaikðtis Mykolas Mikalojus Oginskis – lietuviø kultûriniø aspiracijø rëmëjas" ("Duke Mykolas Mikalojus Oginskis – Lithuanian Cultural Aspirations Supporter"), Þemaièiø þemë, 2005, No 4, 112 p. 21–23. lace, where he collected valuable artworks, archaeo- A. Sketeris' book "Instruction How to Defend Yourself logical finds, hunting trophies, and books. M. from Cholera"243. Historian A. Tyla's efforts to publish Oginskis merits for Plungë are immense. Museum the Lithuanian press, estimates not only as an expres- specialist and historian Dr. Jolanta Skurdauskienë sion of national consciousness, but also as "a protest broadly described them235. against repression of the Tsarist government and the In the article "Duke Mykolas Mikalojus Ogins- fight against the ban of Lithuanian press"244. During kis the Supporter of Lithuanian Cultural Aspira- the period of Lithuanian press ban, M. M. Oginskis tions", published in the magazine "Samogitian was one of the first and one of the few, who began to Land", she writes: submit such requests (during that period 106 requests "From his father, Mykolas Mikalojus took over an were submitted in total). Such activities of M. M. Ogins- old acquaintance with Laurynas Ivinskis and the bis- kis showed that the Duke more or less communicated hop Motiejus Valanèius236, legal sponsorship tradition with a small community of Lithuanian intellectuals. of Lithuanian books237 and quite early got involved in- In addition to the mentioned above L. Ivinskis, M. Va- to this work himself. In 1875, Ivinskis recognized M. lanèius, A. Baranauskas, he established contact with M. Oginskis as a future patron of his activities, and P.Vileiðis, J. Tumas-Vaiþgantas, bishop M. Paliulio- dedicated him the book "Pamokimaj kaip rejkie saugo- nis, and a few others. M. M. Oginskis with his family te kiek wienà giwa sutverimà..." (From old Lithua- communicated in French. At the same time, he took nian "Instructions How to Protect Every Living Crea- care not only of lawful releases of the Lithuanian press ture", sometimes simply called "Custody") and asked but did not avoid illegal press sponsoring and distribu- him to become the publisher of this book238. After con- tion methods. It is thought, that he never forgets to emp- sultation with the lector of Samogitian Theological Se- hasize that he was the Samogitian and that he was not minary Antanas Baranauskas239, Mykolas handed a indifferent to Lithuanian affairs. request for Petersburg Central Committee to print the The fact that M. M. Oginskis supported and sponso- book240 in the same year. Unfortunately, the book-pub- red release and even transportation of the illegal Lithua- lishing story was delayed up until 1878. During that nian press is mentioned in the memoirs of contempora- time, M. M. Oginskis had several visits to St. Peters- ries. According to J. Tumas-Vaiþgantas, M. M. Ogins- burg on the issue of book publication; there he met and kis repeatedly gave money for printing the illegal Lithu- discussed with the editor of the book – Petras Vileiðis241. anian literature and even he, allegedly, received 100 rubles M. M. Oginskis submitted two more applications for from the Duke for "Tëvynës sargas" ("Guardian of The releases of the books: in 1881, S. Baltramaitis transla- Homeland")245. tion "About the Beneficial and Harmful Creatures for He also sponsored other spheres of Lithuanian cul- a Rustic Farm (from Gloger)"242; and around 1893, ture, which could be attributed as illegal.

236 Motiejus Valanèius – Þemaièiø vyskupas, Pastabos paèiam sau: Ið lenkiðkosios vyskupo Motiejaus raðliavos sulasë ir savo pastabø pridëliojo doc. J. Tumas ("Notes to Oneself: J. Tumas translated and laid out his remarks from the scribble of Polish bishop‘s Motiejus Valanèius – bishop of Samogitia), Vilnius, 1996, p. 180. 237In 1846 L. Ivinskis got a loan from I. Oginskis, from which L. Ivinskis published the first Metø skajtlus ukiniszkas [...] ("Calendar for the Farmers of the Year[...]"). Mikalojus Akelaitis also spent some time living with Oginskis in Rietavas. M. Akelaitis (sheltered by the duke) took care of the establishment of the publishing house, establishment of the Lithuanian publishing books center in Rietavas, provided support for L. Ivinskis in order to develop the project of the newspaper Aitvaras ("The Kite"). Previewed at: Petkevièiûtë D., Laurynas Ivinskis, V., 1988, p. 31, 44; Misius K., " Ið Rietavo kultûrinio gyvenimo (iki 1915 m.)" ("From the Culture Life of Rietavas (until 1915)", Rietavo apylinkës, K., 1992, p.193. 238 A. Tyla, "Mëginimai leisti lietuviðkus leidinius spaudos draudimo metu", Spauda ir spaustuvës. Ið Lietuviø kultûros istorijos ("Attempts to Allow Lithuanian Publications at the Time of the Press ban", Press and printing houses. From the Lithuanian history), Vilnius, 1972, nr. 7, p.18. 239 A. Baranauskas, Raðtai ("Patterns"), Vilnius, 1970, t. 2, p, 127; Tyla A., "Mëginimai leisti lietuviðkus leidinius spaudos draudimo metu", Spauda ir spaustuvës. Ið Lietuviø kultûros istorijos, No 7, p.18. ("Attempts to Allow Lithuanian Publications at the Time of the Press ban", Press and printing houses. From the Lithuanian history). 240 A. Tyla, "Mëginimai leisti lietuviðkus leidinius spaudos draudimo metu", p. 78. 241 J. Tumas-Vaiþgantas, "Lietuviø literatûros paskaitos" ("Lectures of "), Mûsø senovë, , 1921, p. 118–119; Tyla A., A. Tyla, "Mëginimai leisti lietuviðkus leidinius spaudos draudimo metu", p. 17; Vileiðis P., Rinktiniai raðtai, Vilnius, 2004, p. 555. 242 A. Tyla, "Mëginimai leisti lietuviðkus leidinius spaudos draudimo metu", p. 81. 243 Ibid, p. 82. 244 Ibid, p. 78. 245 J. Tumas-Vaiþgantas, "Lietuviø literatûros paskaitos" ("Lectures of Lithuanian Literature"), Draudþiamas laikas. L. Ivinskis. Kovotojai, Kaunas, 1924, p. 23. 113 M. M. Oginskis allocated money for the first Lithua- If there are any doubts about defending Lithuanian nian play, acted in 1899 in Palanga246, also illegal interests, perhaps we should agree with the concept of "re- Lithuanian press carrying through the border, which ligious ethnic consciousness" offered by Rimantas Vëbra is vividly described by G.Petkevièaitë-Bitë247. which, according to the historian, caused national fee- In the summer of 1899, he returned home from Pa- lings for peasants and was the reason that encouraged langa. Teofilë Juðkytë, the actress of first Lithuanian joining the national movement253. play, came to his home to ask for a favor. The Duke There are no researches on the mentality of a nobility of promised to transport more than four poods Lithuanian the second half of the 19th – the beginning of the 20th books from Tilsit through the border. M. M. Oginskis century. Therefore, today it is difficult to judge the religious fulfilled his promise even without checking a content of ethnic self-concept significance in the modernizing self- transported literature248. consciousness of nobility. However, it one can assume that In his memoirs, the famous actor of the time H. Kor- it played an important role and encouraged more diverse win-Milewski wrote about decisive actions of M. M. Ogins- cultural activities. Other activity of the Duke, which ba- kis after Kraþiai events in 1893. According to him, through lanced on between legal and illegal, was the usage of the the close relations with Emperor's palace M. M. Oginskis old symbols of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. informed the Emperor Alexander III about the brutal crac- During the year 1881–1885 M. M. Oginskis was the kdown of M. Klingenberg and M. Orzewski on faithful head of Telðiai town and, according to E. Rimða, made people in Kraþiai. It is difficult to assess the reality of these an order for G. Efronas' workshops to produce the press events, but the author claims that the Emperor was really and other insignias of Duma'a head and members with a touched by the story of the Duke and after that showed historical symbol of the town – image of St. Stanislaus. In special attention to the case249. 1885, this caused a scandal and, as the historian guesses, While assessing such open M. M. Oginskis statements M. M. Oginskis lost his position in Duma254. Around the against oppressed Tsarist policy, it should be taken into con- same time, he ordered a sculptural composition depicting sideration the fact that he was a very religious person, who bears standing on hind legs and holding the coat of arms had close contacts with priests and particularly with the Bis- of Oginskiai family for his monumental gate of Plungë hops of Samogitia. Plungë manor steward B. Zubavièius, manor. According to the manor servant B. Zubavièius, who did not like the Duke, wrote about this actions in his Russian officials were not satisfied with that as it remin- memoirs250. The same fact was mentioned in the notes of ded the coat of arms of Samogitia255. the Bishop M. Valanèius and the Bishop A. Baranauskas, Despite the mentioned misunderstandings in the me- in his poem inscribed in the guestbook of Plungë manor251. moirs, these bears today still stand on the gate of Plungë About M. M. Oginskis' communication with the Bishop manor. R. Aftanazy mentions another fact of the usage M. Paliulionis wrote G. Petkevièaitë-Bitë252. of the coat of arms of Samogitia in his edited history about

246 One of the play‘s organisers L. Vaineikis says that part of the tickets were brought at home to those people, who was expected to sympathize to the movement of Lithuanians. Then M. Oginskis sacrificed the larger amount than others – 25 Rouble. Previewed at: "Ið Liudo Vaineikio lûpø... ("1923 m. liepos 20 d. Liudos Vaineikio kalba, pasakyta Palangos pirmojo vieðo spektaklio 24 metø sukakties paminëjime", Þemaièiø þemë, 1999, No. 2, p. 21). ("From the Lips of Liudas Vaineikis... (The speech of Liudas Vaineikis on 20th of July 1923, told during the 24 year anniversary of the first public play in Palanga.") 247 G. Petkevièaitë-Bitë, " Ið mûsø vargø ir kovø" ("From Our Troubles and Battles"), Krislai, Vilnius, 1966. t. 1, p. 666–670. 248 Ibid, p. 665. 249 J. G. Rugis, "Paskutinieji Oginskiai Þemaitijoje" ("Last Oginski in Samogitia"), Dirvos, Priedas. 15th of September 1959. 250 Library of the Science Academy, deparment of manuscripts. (Further – MAB RS), f 12-1756, p. 18. (Zubavièius B., Apie Rietavo dvarà. Apie Plungës dvaro praeitá, 1938 m.) (Zubavièius B., "About the manor of Rietavas. About the the past of Plungë manor", 1938). 251 Library of , department of manuscripts, f. 1-E232, p. 6–7: Mykolo Oginskio dvaro Plungëje sveèiø knyga ("Guest book of Mykolas Oginskis manor in Plungë"); Baranauskas A., Raðtai: Poezija, t. 1, p. 562. 252 G. Petkevièaitë-Bitë, " Ið mûsø vargø ir kovø" ("From Our Troubles and Battles"), Krislai, t. 1, p. 649. 253 R. Vëbra, Lietuviø visuomenë XIX a. antroje pusëje ("Lithuanian Society in the Second half of 19th c."), Vilnius, 1990, p. 46. 254 E. Rimða, Lietuvos Didþiosios Kunigaikðtystës miestø antspaudai ("Cities Stamps of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania"), Vilnius, 1999, p. 538; Rimða E., "Miestø heraldika Abiejø Tautø Respublikos padalijimø metu" ("Urban Heraldy at the Time of Parititions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Lietuvos valstybë XII–XIII a. ("Lithuanian state 12th–13th c.") Vilnius, 1997, p. 230. 255 MAB RS. F12–1756, p. 25. (Zubavièius B., Apie Rietavo dvarà. Apie Plungës dvaro praeitá. 1938 m. ("About the manor of Rietavas. About the the past of Plungë manor"), 1938).

114 On the right: Mstislavas Dabuþinskas, "Gate of the Plungë manor", 1933, Lithuanian Art Museum, LDM G-29787 115 the residences. The author claims that M. M. Oginkis has been researching the music patronage of Oginskiai for a decorated the southern facade of Plungë palace with alle- long time. She tried to uncover family's connections with the gorical sculpture with the coat of arms of Samogitia256. It Lithuanian identity. Assessing the merits of Oginskiai of the is hard to say whether this statement is true or false, but success of independent Lithuanian music culture, the resear- the one thing is clear that M. M. Oginskis sought a revi- cher drew attention to the historical epoch and a controversy of val of the heraldry of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. noble-mind in it. According to her, democratic notions and What were the reasons – discussed by historians whether social tolerance of the noble was related only with the Chris- it was civic-minded noble aspirations with the reminis- tian provisions and particular aristocratic spiritual culture260. cence of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania tradition or it According to L. Kiauleikytë, the primary social envi- was Lithuanian ethnic and national tradition – that ronment of the Dukes Oginskiai, from which they never led to these activities is hard to say. intended to digress, was the daily dramas, sorrow and However, most likely, the impact consisted of both fac- joy of the Russian and European monarchs, the most pro- tors. M. M. Oginskis also was a sponsor of Lithuanian edu- minent aristocratic families and the highest imperial of- cation. There is a lack of evidence in historical sources to ficials261. However, the following fragments from the me- verify the fact that at the end of the 19th century by an moirs could illustrate the personal attitude of the Duke. orphanage of Plungë manor worked a secret two-class school The above-mentioned manor steward B. Zubavièius for children of manor servants. According to ethnographers, writes that during summers, the Duke with his orchestra it worked for a very short time – only 10 days257. The estab- used to go to Palanga and he tended to make jokes. When lishment of a secret teacher's seminary could be considered as the orchestra began to play the popular Lithuanian song a logical continuation of M. M. Oginskis patriotic work. "On the Edge of the Lagoon, in the town of Palanga", His work was described by an eminent public figure Ona which melody immensely reminded the Polish national ant- Pleiryte-Puidienë (1885–1936). hem "Poland Is Not Yet Lost", some Polish patriots imme- In 1903, carrying the will of her husband Maria Ogins- diately took off their hats and others even kneeled down. kienë set up a secret girls' school, which was officially called After the music stop, the Duke announced the Lithuanian the handicraft school. The idea behind the facade was to song "On the Edge of the Lagoon, in the town of Palanga" prepare new teachers. Still very young Ona Pleirytë was in- had just been played. This always made visiting Russian vited to teach in the secret seminary. They had not enough of officials laugh and anger Polish patriots, who honored the textbooks, the teacher was inexperienced, and so the school piece of music. According to the steward, the Duke was did not work for long. It was closed in October 1904.258 repeatedly interrogated for that, but the government was Paradoxically, historians and culturologists as inextricably not able to punish the prankster262. linked to the Lithuanian national cultural movement consi- J. Tumas-Vaiþgantas, who was in a close contact with der both music school of Plungë manor, as well as the music M. M. Oginskis, wrote that both Mykolas and his father school of Rietavas manor, even despite the fact that only the Irenëjus "considered themselves as the citizens of Samogi- children were taught only in Polish. tia and even called themselves the Samogitians"263. According to researchers, these schools made a huge im- Stored in archives letters of Oginskiai family indica- pact on training talented Lithuanian musicians and enab- tes that in the private life between the family members ling prosperity of national music culture. L. Kiauleikytë259 and other aristocrats it was talked in French, with offi-

256 R. Aftanazy, Dzieje rezidencji na dawnych kresach Rzeczypospolitej ("The History of Residence in the Former Borderlands of the Republic"), Wrocùaw, 1992, cz.1, t .3, s. 247. 257 O. Pleirytë-Puidienë, "Oginskienës Mokytojø seminarija" ("Teachers Seminary of Oginskienë"), Bangos, 1932, No. 14, p. 421. 258 Ibid. 259 L. Kiauleikytë, "Kunigaikðèiø Oginskiø muzikos mecenatystë antrojoje XIX a. pusëje" ("Dukes Oginski Musical Patronage in the Second half of 19th c."), Lietuvos kultûros tyrinëjimai, Vilnius, 1996, t. 2, p. 218–219. 260 Ibid, p. 218. 261 Ibid. 262 MAB RS, f.12–1756, p. 25. (Zubavièius B., Apie Rietavo dvarà. Apie Plungës dvaro praeitá. 1938 m. /"About the manor of Rietavas. About the the past of Plungë manor",1938). 263 J. Tumas-Vaiþgantas, "Lietuviø literatûros paskaitos" ("Lectures of Lithuanian Literature"), Draudþiamas laikas. L. Ivinskis. Kovotojai, Kaunas, 1924, p. 22.

116 On the right (from the top): central palace of the Dukes Oginskiai Plungë manor and horse stud. Photo by Vladas Gaudieðius 117 cials in Russian and Polish, and with local people and composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Èiurlionis studied the manor workers they talked in Samogitian language. and played in the manor orchestra. The Duke also M. M. Oginskis demonstrated his sympathies for a folk sponsored his subsequent education. culture in his home in Plungë. The girls, serving in the ma- M. M. Oginskis organized agricultural exhibitions nor, worn traditional costumes and this amazed almost eve- in Plungë (on 17–19th of September 1899 there were ry guest. The Duke paid much attention to fine arts; he was about two hundred horses, pavilions of flowers, fruits, one of the first landlords, who began to positively estimate vegetables, grain). the Lithuanian folk art264. It is known that he had Lithua- M. M. Oginskis took care of the construction of a nian books in his library. railway line through Plungë. The Duke initiated a Oginskiai family devotion for Þemaitukai horse breed new brick church construction in the place of a woo- was widely known in the society of that time265. den church, however, he did not see the completion Researcher of Oginskiai economic work V. Girininkie- of it, because died early (in 1902). After the death of në affirms that in the archives she found the motive, which Duke, the music school was closed, the orchestra of encouraged the Dukes to take care of a preservation of Þe- Plungë manor was disbanded. M. M. Oginskis' wife maitukai horse breed. According to the researcher, in a took over a management of the manor. manuscript she found is mentioned the fact that Lithua- nian Þemaitukas helped to achieve the victory against the MARIA TERESË KASPARA SKURZEWSKA- Crusaders, and that is why they should not be allowed to OGINSKIENË (1857–1945) disappear. Unfortunately, the author does not specify the Researcher of Plungë history, Eleonora Ravickienë document, which would prove this important fact. Be that (1916–2004) gathered and published most of the as it may, but it is the merit of Oginskiai that Þemaitukai information about the Austrian Emperor's maid of horse breed was preserved and popularized among land- honor, the Countess and Mykolas Oginskis' wife Ma- lords and peasants. The name of Þemaitukai spread not ria Teresa Kaspara Skurzewska267. only in Lithuania, Russia but also in the Western Euro- Maria was born on 5th of January 1857, died in pe266, where horses with Lithuanian names were presen- 22nd of March 1945. According to her contempora- ted in international farming exhibitions. However, M. ries, she was one of the most beautiful women in Eu- M. Oginskis in his public life, communicating with nob- rope. She married the Duke Mykolas Oginskis around les, senior manor staff (lackeys, teachers), music school stu- the year 1876. After becoming his wife, Maria settled dents, orphan home children, avoided speaking Lithua- in husband's residence in Plungë. When she moved to nian and talked in Polish. He also corresponded with Lit- Plungë, local people were amazed not only by her be- huanian cultural figures in Polish: educator L. Ivinskis, auty (she was called the beauty queen) but also by a musician M. K. Èiurlionis. [...] particular morality and piety, capricious character, Probably a national consciousness of M. M. Oginskis which is witnessed in the memoirs and press of do not conform with a modern understanding of natio- that time. In one moment she was fierce Pole, who nal consciousness, which has a relevant shade of conser- demanded to throw away the guest book of the vatism, but it had a significant impact on the develop- palace, because as poet visi- ment of Lithuanian cultural movement and entrenching ted them in Plungë manor recorded gratitude poem the modern Lithuanian national consciousness." in Lithuanian, in the other moment she was proud, Around the year 1873, by using the example of arrogant lady, who kept waiting Plungë citizens and brother Bogdanas, M. M. Oginskis established a mu- priest before St. Mass as she was late. Everyone for a sic school in Plungë manor, which worked until 1902. long time remembered the fact that children accepting There the most prominent Lithuanian painter and the First Holy Communion in the church and recei-

264 O. Daugelis, "Ið senøjø M. K. Èiurlionio dailës muziejaus kolekcijø istorijos" ("From an Old Fine Arts History Collections of M. K. Èiurlionis"), Lietuvos TSR aukðtøjø mokyklø mokslo darbai. Menotyra, 1988, No 6, p. 118–119. 265 V. Girininkienë, "Þemaitukai“, Rietavo apylinkës, p. 142. 266 Ibid, p. 148. 267 Eleonora Ravickienë issued two books: Atsisveikinimas su Tëvyne ("Farewell to the Homeland"), Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijø leidykla, 1992; Eleonora Ravickienë, Ðimtmeèiø takais ("Paths of the Centuries"), Klaipëda, 1997. Most of her publications she issued in the republican press, in 118 Plungë and in the presses of other districts. After the death of the etnographer, her archive was passed to the Samogitian art museum (in Plungë). ving a gift from the Duchess, had to kiss her silk shoes. Maria became a widow quite early. The Duchess Maria Oginskienë's fate determined that she did continued her husband's work. She supported the not become a mother. The Duke M. Oginskis spent construction of Plungë church, took care of the es- a lot of time for cultural and public work while the tablishment of Plungë Lourdes. Duchess took care of homeless children and orphans. During the First World War, the Duchess (she In 1905, after the ban of the Lithuanian press was had the Austrian citizenship) was asked to leave the lifted, the Duchess established an official Lithuanian country. She left the manor for administrators to su- school, which was built as a shelter home for chil- pervise and moved to a homeland Poznan, from whe- dren and orphans by Mykolas Oginskis (now there is re Maria never went back to Plungë. In 1924, the a dairy), in Plungë. Later, it was reorganized into government of the Independent Republic of Lithua- three-class Lithuanian school. Three nun teachers nia nationalized her property – land, art collections, taught there. Along with 50 pupils from the shelter and 80 hectares of Plungë manor (the park covered home, studied and received free lunch more than 200 more than 60 hectares). Having survived the loss of children from Plungë town and its environs. her husband, the First World War, expropriation, Maria The charitable work of Oginskiai covered a very Oginskienë attained the Second World War living in wide range of areas. In 1905, it was described in "Lit- her own house in Poznan, Rzeczpospolita Street 7. huanian newspaper" (No. 50) by Mykolas Andrejus E. Ravickienë wrote about the life of M. Ogins- Prealgauskis. Oginskiai took care not only of the pre- kienë after her leaving from Plungë. She managed to viously mentioned shelter home for children and orp- find out that the Duchess left her home in Plungë hans, but also retirement homes (Lith. Ubagynas), a only with taking two suitcases with her. Many pain- nursing home for people suffering from cholera, hos- tings, Oginskiai family portraits, sculptures, dishes, pital with 30 places, individually supported people and a large library remained in the palace. A part of caught by trouble. More than two hundred children, the library values were moved to Germany, a part left who lost their parents, found the way to life through in Lithuanian museums, libraries, and the rest was the orphanage set up by M. G. Oginskienë in Plun- destroyed. On 18th of December 1919, M. Ogins- gë manor. Russian press frequently wrote about the kienë transferred all her property through a notary to orphanage of Plungë. It praised the Dukes Oginskiai the former musician of M. Oginskis orchestra, later and was glad of orphan children, who were decently the administrator of the Duchess property in Lithu- looked after. Samogitian Art Museum is now in the ania – Jonas Petkûnas. former Plungë manor. For several times, they had vi- Until 1943, Maria Oginskienë lived in the aforemen- sitors from abroad, who told that their grandparents tioned house. At the age of 86 Maria was taken to a grew up in the orphanage and their godmother was retirement home. Maria died there on 22nd of March the Duchess Maria Oginskienë. 1945. She was completely impoverished by then. Ma- For taking care of "rabbles", her mother-in-law Olga ria was buried very modestly in a simple white board Oginskienë did not like Maria. According to the writ- coffin, supposedly in Poznan. The burial site is unknown. ten sources, throughout all her and Mykolas marriage The famous architect and sculptor Antanas Vivulskis268 time she did not visit her son even a single time in Plun- created the bust of M. Oginskienë, however, its loca- gë, although she lived in the nearby Rietavas manor. tion is unknown.

268 Antoni Wiwulski (1877–1919) – project author of the chapel in Ðiluva, also of "Trys kryþiai" ("Three Crosses"), author of many other monuments, buildings. According to his project, the monument, which immortalized the battle of Þalgiris, was built in Krakow. 119