Secret Lithuanian school

The scene you see depicts a secret Lithuanian school — a daraktoriai school, a "school of hardship", an illegal rural elementary school that operated in Lithuania during the press ban period (1864–1904).
It was a unique phenomenon in the history of global education.
In an effort to preserve the Lithuanian language and culture, the knygnešiai (book smugglers) — among them Juozas Masiulis, founder of the famous bookstore in Panevėžys — began secretly bringing Lithuanian books from Königsberg.
At the same time, peasants organized secret schools, where teachers they hired themselves — the daraktoriai — taught children in their native language.
The number of such daraktoriai grew significantly at the end of the 19th century, as more secular intellectuals emerged.
For example, children were taught by Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė.
The peasants actively protected these schools from Tsarist officials and gendarmes.
The priest teaching the children symbolizes Father Jonas Katelė.
He was a clergyman and educator of the late 19th century, who established several secret schools and supported the Lithuanian press.
He studied at the Kupiškis school, later in Panevėžys, and finally at the seminary in Varniai, where he studied under the guidance of Bishop Motiejus Valančius — who became his inspiration and patron.
After becoming the parish priest of Panemunėlis, he actively promoted education: he taught children the Lithuanian language and writing, and encouraged parishioners to read, sing, and pray in their native language.
Let us remember all those who contributed to the cultural rebirth of our nation!