Varpas Society

[1] Its choir and a string orchestra organized various concerts while educational lectures were delivered by prominent figures in Lithuanian culture.

Activists in Šiauliai submitted a proposal for a cultural Viltis Society (hope) in 1905, but it was rejected by the Tsarist authorities as its program was deemed too broad.

It elected the first board (chairman Kazimieras Venclauskis, secretary Stanislava Bogušytė-Skipitienė, treasurer Antanas Povylius) and admitted the first 55 members.

[1] They staged various plays, including The Bear by Anton Chekhov, plays by Herman Heijermans, Leo Tolstoy, Jerzy Żuławski, Eliza Orzeszkowa, Eduard von Keyserling, as well as by Lithuanian authors – Aleksandras Fromas-Gužutis, Vydūnas, Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas, Liudas Gira.

[1][2] The largest production was a five-act historical opera about Pilėnai which included about 50 performers (directed by Landsbergis-Žemkalnis in 1910).

Pleirytė-Puidienė and Misius established their own troupe separate from the Varpas Society though continued to participate in its activities.

[2] In addition to plays, the society organized events almost every Saturday – concerts, educational lectures on literature, theater, medicine, natural sciences, etc.

Speakers included physician Petras Avižonis, writers Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė, Vydūnas, Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas.

[1] The society struggled due to post-war economic difficulties, frequently changing leadership, and competition from other cultural organizations.