The Main Aim of Student Associations Is to Provide Broader Strata of Population with at Least Some Education.” Activities of the Academic Readers’ Union in Jičín at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Cover Image

„Hlavním úkolem spolků studentských jest podávati širším vrstvám lidu alespoň malou část vzdělání.“ Činnost Akademické čtenářské jednoty v Jičíně na počátku 20. století
The Main Aim of Student Associations Is to Provide Broader Strata of Population with at Least Some Education.” Activities of the Academic Readers’ Union in Jičín at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century

Author(s): Jitka Bílková
Subject(s): Higher Education , Pre-WW I & WW I (1900 -1919)
Published by: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Nakladatelství Karolinum
Keywords: associations; Academic Readers’ Union in Jičín; university students; Jičín; amateur theatre; libraries; progressive movement

Summary/Abstract: This study focuses on the life and ideals of university students, especially their activities in the Academic Readers’ Union in Jičín at the beginning of the 20th century. Despite the fact that the Union organised events only during school holidays, when its members were at home, it had a significant impact on the cultural life of the town. After a brief description of the first thirty years of the Union’s existence (1870–1900), this contribution presents a detailed analysis of students’ activities in 1900–1910. These included various educational efforts, such as the running of a public library, lectures, and exhibitions, but also entertainment in the form of theatre, folk academies, various celebrations, dances, excursions, and the like. The author reveals some disagreements between the Union’s members, analyses their political views, tries to assess how activities within the Academic Readers’ Union influenced the future life of its members, and evaluates the impact of their activities on the town of Jičín.

  • Issue Year: 56/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 121-148
  • Page Count: 28
  • Language: Czech