Voronezh as Lithuanians' educational and cultural centre in Russia during the First World War

On the 14th of November (27th November), 1914, the Lithuanian war relief society was established. It was financed by tsarevna Tatjana's fund and supported war refugees. As the war front line came closer to Vilnius, the central committee of this society decided to move Lithuanian schools to Russia, namely Voronezh. There in ten dormitories lived about 900 pupils and their family members. Each pupil got sufficient financial support, studies were paid for, and talented pupils could attend the music school. In 1915-1918 there functioned ten educational institutions: primary schools, Gymnaziums, Teachers' institute and a public university. Teachers' professional qualifications were maintained and enhanced through evening and summer courses. Famous educators such as J. Balčikonis, J. Jablonskis, J. Vokietaitis, S. Kymantaitė-Čiurlionienė, P. Mašiotas and others participated in the seminars dedicated to the issues of Lithuania's educational system and developed programs for various subjects. Next to this, students' organizations of diverse character were active in Voronezh, ateitininkai and aušrininkai being the most numerous ones, and their aim was to cherish national culture. Therefore they organized Lithuanian evening-parties and staged plays. The choir, conducted by V. Nacevičius, was well-known in Voronezh as well. Consequently, Voronezh played an important role in the history of Lithuania's education as it became Lithuania's cultural and educational centre in Russia during the First World War. In addition, these Lithuanian schools gave a possibility to hundreds of pupils to continue their education