Belarusian Gymnasium of Vilnia

The Belarusian Gymnasium of Vilnia (Belarusian: Віленская беларуская гімназія) was an important Belarusian school in Vilnius. Many notable Belarusian cultural figures of the 20th century graduated from the school.

Celebration of an anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic in the Belarusian Gymnasium of Vilnia in 1935

History

The Belarusian Gymnasium of Vilnius was founded in early 1919, by the allowance of the Council of Lithuania and functioned later during the Interbellum, when the city belonged to Poland. Prior to their retreat from the city to Kaunas, Lithuanians allowed opening of the gymnasium in the premises of the former Basilian monastery. The lessons started on February 1, 1919.

In the first year of its existence the school also served as an Orphanage for children from surrounding regions. After the Soviet occupation of Republic of Lithuania in 1944 the school was closed down. It was reestablished after the Collapse of the USSR as the Francishak Skaryna Belarusian School of Vilnius.

Teachers
  • Radasłaŭ Astroŭski, Principal from 1924 to 1936; formerly Education Minister of the Belarusian Democratic Republic in 1918 and head of the Belarusian Central Rada after 1944
  • Barys Kit, teacher since 1933, Principal in 1939. Later notable scientist in the United States and member of the Belarusian American community

Alumni and students
  • Michał Vituška, general and military commander
  • Vincent Zhuk-Hryshkevich, president of the Belarusian Democratic Republic in exile
  • Jan Stankievič, linguist, historian and philosopher
  • Maxim Tank, poet and translator
  • Boris Koverda, terrorist, killer of Pyotr Voykov (left school before graduation)
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