Organizations of Lithuanian Germans in Kaunas (1918-1940)

The situation of the community of Kaunas Germans in 1918-1940 is rather problematic. Researchers have mostly focused on the investigation of the German minority in Klaipėda region, whereas the community of Kaunas Germans has been neglected so far. The reason for this situation could be small amount of the data. On the other hand, although not numerous, the community of Kaunas Germans is worth a separate investigation as it played a considerable role in the public life of Lithuania. The Germans of Kaunas constituted 3,54 % of all Kaunas citizens in the investigated period of time. The number of German origin people remained rather stable until the end of the third decade of the 20th century. They gathered into a variety of cultural, religious, sport and other organizations and societies. The leading community of Lithuanian Germans, Kulturverband, also operated in Kaunas. Thus, although relatively small, the national minority of Kaunas Germans established a number of organizations demonstrating the exceptionality and vitality of the community. These facts allow us to assume that Kaunas Germans were social and well organized. Moreover, it can be claimed that during the discussed period of time, the cultural activities of Lithuanian Germans were not restrictedIstorijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta