Lietuvos Žinios
Encyclopedia
Lietuvos žinios is a daily newspaper in Lithuania
. Established in Vilnius
in 1909, it was a liberal newspaper representing the Lithuanian Democratic Party
. Even though its publication has been interrupted by World War I and Soviet occupation of Lithuania, Lietuvos žinios bills itself as the oldest newspaper in Lithuania.
, publisher of Vilniaus žinios
, decided to discontinue the newspaper and established Lietuvos žinios on June 19, 1919. A few months later he transferred the rights to the Lithuanian Democratic Party
. Lietuvos žinios was published by partnership F. Bortkevičienė, dr. K. Grinius
ir Ko and shared staff with Lietuvos ūkininkas. At first it was published twice a week. In 1911, it began publishing three times a week becoming a daily in 1914. The newspaper included semi-independent monthly supplements, including Aušrinė (for youth), Mokykla (on education), Farmaceutų reikalai (on pharmacy), Vasaros darbai (collection of folklore). Editors in chief were Jonas Vileišis, Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė
, Mykolas Sleževičius
, Jurgis Šaulys
, and Žemaitė
. Even though it was affiliated with the Democratic Party, the newspaper attempted to represent non-partisan liberal agenda. Lietuvos žinios reported on political, economic, and cultural news in Lithuania and abroad. After writer Žemaitė became its editor, the newspaper paid more attention to literature. It publisher a few of her short stories. Other contributing fiction writers included Ignas Šeinius, Julius Janonis, Balys Sruoga
, Kazys Binkis
. It was discontinued on August 15, 1915 due to World War I.
by the Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union. Its notable editors included Kazys Grinius
, Felicija Bortkevičienė, Jonas Kardelis (1933–1940). In 1924, the newspaper had only four pages and circulation of 2,800 copies. Lietuvos žinios advocated for the Peasant Popular Union, publishing its agenda, resolutions and activity reports. After the elections to the Third Seimas
in June 1926, the Peasant Popular Union formed a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party
. This propelled the newspaper into the spotlight as the voice for the new government. After the coup d'état in December 1926
, the newspaper stubbornly opposed the new authoritarian regime of Antanas Smetona
, was censored, and even temporarily suspended. Despite political struggles, the newspaper grew to 12 pages (22–24 pages on Saturday) and circulation of 30,000 by 1935, at times competing with official Lietuvos aidas
in popularity. The newspaper was praised for having a network of correspondents in each county of Lithuania as well as major European cities and its ability to publish news quickly and effectively. Lietuvos žinios was discontinued on September 1, 1940, after Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union
.
revived Lietuvos žinios as a newspaper for politics, culture and society. Its daily circulation peaked at some 30,000 copies and later plummeted. In 1993, it was acquired by the Achema Group. In 2010, it had circulation of about 20,000 copies.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. Established in Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
in 1909, it was a liberal newspaper representing the Lithuanian Democratic Party
Lithuanian Democratic Party
Lithuanian Democratic Party or LDP , established on October 17, 1902, was the second-oldest political party in Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire. It published newspapers Lietuvos ūkininkas and Lietuvos žinios . During World War I, the democratic party split into several other parties and...
. Even though its publication has been interrupted by World War I and Soviet occupation of Lithuania, Lietuvos žinios bills itself as the oldest newspaper in Lithuania.
1909–1915
Jonas VileišisJonas Vileišis
Jonas Vileišis was a Lithuanian lawyer, politician, and diplomat.-Early life and career:Vileišis was born in Mediniai, near Pasvalys. In 1892 he graduated from the Šiauliai gymnasium. During 1892-1894, he studied physics and mathematics at Saint Petersburg University. Later he transferred to the...
, publisher of Vilniaus žinios
Vilniaus žinios
Vilniaus žinios was a short-lived newspaper published in Vilnius, Lithuania. It was the first legal Lithuanian-language daily newspaper to appear after the Lithuanian press ban was lifted on May 7, 1904.-History:...
, decided to discontinue the newspaper and established Lietuvos žinios on June 19, 1919. A few months later he transferred the rights to the Lithuanian Democratic Party
Lithuanian Democratic Party
Lithuanian Democratic Party or LDP , established on October 17, 1902, was the second-oldest political party in Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire. It published newspapers Lietuvos ūkininkas and Lietuvos žinios . During World War I, the democratic party split into several other parties and...
. Lietuvos žinios was published by partnership F. Bortkevičienė, dr. K. Grinius
Kazys Grinius
Kazys Grinius was the third President of Lithuania, and held that office from 7 June 1926 to 17 December 1926.When Grinius was born in Selema, near Marijampolė, Lithuania was part of the Russian empire. He studied medicine at the University of Moscow and became a physician...
ir Ko and shared staff with Lietuvos ūkininkas. At first it was published twice a week. In 1911, it began publishing three times a week becoming a daily in 1914. The newspaper included semi-independent monthly supplements, including Aušrinė (for youth), Mokykla (on education), Farmaceutų reikalai (on pharmacy), Vasaros darbai (collection of folklore). Editors in chief were Jonas Vileišis, Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė
Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė
Gabrielė Petkevičaitė was a Lithuanian writer and activist. Her pen name Bitė eventually became part of her last name.-Biography:...
, Mykolas Sleževičius
Mykolas Sleževicius
Mykolas Sleževičius was a Lithuanian lawyer, political figure, and journalist, who served as Prime Minister of Lithuania on two occasions.- Early life :...
, Jurgis Šaulys
Jurgis Šaulys
Jurgis Šaulys was a Lithuanian economist, diplomat, and politician, and one of the twenty signatories to the 1918 Act of Independence of Lithuania.Šaulys attended secondary school in Palanga and attended the Kaunas Theological Seminary...
, and Žemaitė
Žemaite
Žemaitė - a pen name of Julija Beniuševičiūtė-Žymantienė; in Bukantė near Plungė — 7 December 1921 in Marijampolė) was a Lithuanian writer. Born to impoverished gentry, she became one of the major participants in the Lithuanian National Revival...
. Even though it was affiliated with the Democratic Party, the newspaper attempted to represent non-partisan liberal agenda. Lietuvos žinios reported on political, economic, and cultural news in Lithuania and abroad. After writer Žemaitė became its editor, the newspaper paid more attention to literature. It publisher a few of her short stories. Other contributing fiction writers included Ignas Šeinius, Julius Janonis, Balys Sruoga
Balys Sruoga
Balys Sruoga was a Lithuanian poet, playwright, critic, and literary theorist.He contributed to cultural journals from his early youth...
, Kazys Binkis
Kazys Binkis
Kazys Binkis was a Lithuanian poet, journalist, and playwright. He used the pseudonyms K.Alijošius, K. Papilietis, Kazys, Kazys Roviejietis, Nedarbininkas, Neklaipėdietis, Nelatvis, Nepartyvis, Ras Desta, Riza Chanas and others.-Biography:...
. It was discontinued on August 15, 1915 due to World War I.
1922–1940
Lietuvos žinios was revived on February 16, 1922 in KaunasKaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
by the Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union. Its notable editors included Kazys Grinius
Kazys Grinius
Kazys Grinius was the third President of Lithuania, and held that office from 7 June 1926 to 17 December 1926.When Grinius was born in Selema, near Marijampolė, Lithuania was part of the Russian empire. He studied medicine at the University of Moscow and became a physician...
, Felicija Bortkevičienė, Jonas Kardelis (1933–1940). In 1924, the newspaper had only four pages and circulation of 2,800 copies. Lietuvos žinios advocated for the Peasant Popular Union, publishing its agenda, resolutions and activity reports. After the elections to the Third Seimas
Third Seimas of Lithuania
The Third Seimas of Lithuania was the third parliament democratically elected in Lithuania after it declared independence on February 16, 1918. The elections took place on May 8-10, 1926. For the first time Lithuanian Christian Democrats were forced to remain in opposition. The coalition...
in June 1926, the Peasant Popular Union formed a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party of Lithuania
The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania is a centre-left and social democratic political party in Lithuania. It is the oldest party in Lithuania, founded in 1896. The party's president since 2009 is Algirdas Butkevičius. The party led a minority government in the unicameral Seimas, Lithuania's...
. This propelled the newspaper into the spotlight as the voice for the new government. After the coup d'état in December 1926
1926 Lithuanian coup d'état
The 1926 Lithuanian coup d'état was a military coup d'etat in Lithuania that resulted in the replacement of the democratically elected government with a conservative authoritarian government led by Antanas Smetona. The coup took place on December 17, 1926 and was largely organized by the military;...
, the newspaper stubbornly opposed the new authoritarian regime of Antanas Smetona
Antanas Smetona
Antanas Smetona was one of the most important Lithuanian political figures between World War I and World War II. He served as the first President of Lithuania from April 4, 1919 to June 19, 1920. He again served as the last President of the country from December 19, 1926 to June 15, 1940, before...
, was censored, and even temporarily suspended. Despite political struggles, the newspaper grew to 12 pages (22–24 pages on Saturday) and circulation of 30,000 by 1935, at times competing with official Lietuvos aidas
Lietuvos aidas
Lietuvos aidas is a daily newspaper in Lithuania. It was established on September 6, 1917 by Antanas Smetona, and became the semi-official voice of the newly formed Lithuanian government. When the government evacuated from Vilnius to the temporary capital, Kaunas, it ceased publication...
in popularity. The newspaper was praised for having a network of correspondents in each county of Lithuania as well as major European cities and its ability to publish news quickly and effectively. Lietuvos žinios was discontinued on September 1, 1940, after Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
Since 1990
In 1990, when Lithuania declared independence, the Social Democratic Party of LithuaniaSocial Democratic Party of Lithuania
The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania is a centre-left and social democratic political party in Lithuania. It is the oldest party in Lithuania, founded in 1896. The party's president since 2009 is Algirdas Butkevičius. The party led a minority government in the unicameral Seimas, Lithuania's...
revived Lietuvos žinios as a newspaper for politics, culture and society. Its daily circulation peaked at some 30,000 copies and later plummeted. In 1993, it was acquired by the Achema Group. In 2010, it had circulation of about 20,000 copies.