Homeland Lovers Association in 1896-1904: formation of the organization and issuance of Lithuanian books

ENThe Homeland Lovers Association (hereinafter – Association) established by the Lithuanian Americans in 1896 was the first diaspora organization which set itself a disinterested and charitable target – using raised funds to issue books that would strengthen Lithuanity and to distribute them for the youth in Lithuania for free. Over the 1896−1904 period, twelve books were printed in a total of 50,000 copies, one third of which were meant for Lithuania. However, the distribution of books in Lithuania faced certain challenges by 1904. The Association grew gradually and in 1904, its membership amounted to about 2,000; it had $500 in its treasury, which already sufficed for the issuance of two books. Funds were raised not only from the members (the annual fee was $0.60) but also donations were asked for from the Lithuanian Americans; members of the Association organized special balls, staged performances, distributed lottery tickets. Wide campaigns for joining the Association were run among the diaspora. The establishment of the Homeland Lovers Association in 1896 coincided with and was caused by the end of the activities of the Lithuanian Scientific Society and the futile efforts of the Lithuanian Alliance in America organization to convince the tsarist authorities to lift the bans on the Lithuanians.