(Ne)pamiršti Aleksandrijos dvaro Janavičiai

LTStraipsnyje atkreipiamas dėmesys į netoli Šiaulių įsikūrusio Aleksandrijos dvaro savininkus, pažangios ūkinės veiklos, kultūros ir švietimo puoselėtojus Janavičius. Darbe plėtojama mintis, kad ši šeima gali būti įvardijama atminties vieta, kuri nepelnytai ilgą laiką buvo nustumta į antrą planą tokių garsių giminių kaip Zubovai, Sondeckiai, Venclauskiai ir pan. Šiame straipsnyje ne tik trumpai pristatoma Janavičių giminės istorija, jos paveldas, Šiaulių „Aušros“ muziejui perduotas giminės archyvas, bet ir keliamas klausimas, ar Janavičių giminė dar svarbi Šiauliams? Ar ši atminties vieta nenugrims į užmarštį kartu su Aleksandrijos dvaru? Reikšminiai žodžiai Atminties vieta, Aleksandrija, Janavičiai, paveldas, archyvas.

ENEvery society has many places of memory that reflect their past and help preserve important relics of the past for future generations. Various geographic locations, sculptures, city coat of arms, street names, or even people can be considered as the places of memory. Memory places become important figures that have meanings and evoke certain associations. On the other hand, it is often the case that some places of memory sink into oblivion, while others rise to the surface. The question then is what should be done in such cases? The aim of this paper is to draw attention to the Janavičiai family, the owners of Aleksandrija manor near Šiauliai, who for a long time have been as if sidelined by such famous families as Zubovai, Sondeckiai, Venclauskiai and others. After all, it should be noted that the Janavičiai family were the promoters of advanced economic activity, culture and education. Vincas Janavičius (? - 1921) was an economist, an administrator of Aleksandrija manor owned by the Zubovai family. He bought from Zubovas 500 ha of land and became the owner of Aleksandrija manor. He and his wife Marija Arciš had three daughters and a son, Vytautas. Vytautas Janavičius (1890–1977) is another cornerstone of the Janavičiai family. He became an engineer and took over the brickyard of Aleksandrija. He married Marija, the daughter of a famous forester Povilas Matulionis, and they raised three sons: Algirdas, Jurgis and Vytautas Steponas.After World War II, the members of this family were forced to emigrate to Australia. They became the part of Lithuanian World Community. Vytautas Steponas Janavičius (1924– 1995) married a poetess and artist Aldona Vesčiūnaitė, and they raised five daughters. Although the Janavičiai family lived in emigration for a long time, Lithuania was always in their hearts, and Aleksandrija manor for Vytautas Steponas was a safe and nostalgic shelter. After Lithuania regained its independence, V. Janavičius redeemed Aleksandrija manor and prepared to rebuild it, however, his sudden death in 1995 interrupted the plans. Even though being thousands of kilometres away, the Janavičiai family did not forget Lithuania and native home in Aleksandrija. More than twenty years later some documents, photographs and things of the Janavičiai family returned to Šiauliai. Although the spirit of the Janavičiai family is almost not felt in the decaying palace of Aleksandrija manor, it is gradually reviving in Šiauliai “Aušros” museum. The paper not only briefly presents the history of the Janavičiai family and their heritage, but also raises the question whether the Janavičiai family is still important to Šiauliai? Will this place of memory not fall into oblivion together with Aleksandrija manor?.