famous Lithuanian writer, philosopher, educator, musician, cultural figure, was born in 1868. March 22 Jonaičiai (Šilutė district) 1885 – 1888 studied at the Ragainės Teachers' Seminary, 1888 - 1892. worked as a teacher in the elementary school of the parish of Kinta. Here he met Klara Fiulhaze, a close relative of the precentor (leader) of the school, who helped him overcome his drought. in 1891 Priest Oto Štein married the young Klaras Fiulhaz and Vilhelmas Storosta in the church of Kinta. In Kintai, the future Vydūnas faces the problem of preserving Lithuanian identity in this region. He begins to write, firmly decides to engage in active cultural activities, to awaken the national self-consciousness of the Lithuanians of this region, to revive forgotten ethnic and cultural traditions. 1892 went to live in Tilže. Until 1912 taught French and English at the Tilžė boys' high school. Later, he gave up teaching activities and devoted himself to creative and cultural activities. In 1899 In Tilžė, he founded the Society of Lithuanian Singers, which he led until 1935. The singers organized Lithuanian holidays and concerts, performed plays, the author of which was Vydūnas himself. He further improved at the universities of Berlin, Halle, Leipzig, Greiswald, and used the accumulated knowledge to form and teach his humanistic philosophy. The formation of this thought was greatly influenced by his ascetic lifestyle, which he chose while living in Kinta, as well as his acquaintance with eastern philosophy. Vydūnas wrote 12 philosophical works and a huge number of articles on various topics, published monthly magazines for young people "Šaltinis", "Jaunimas", "Naujovė", "Darbymetis". Created about 30 dramatic works of various genres. In independent Lithuania, Vydūnas gets high ratings. in 1928 The University of Kaunas gives him an honorary doctorate in philosophy, and in 1925 elected as an honorary member of the PEN Club of the International Union of Writers. in 1944 Vydūnas had to leave Tilže and only in 1946. managed to settle in Detmold (Germany). Works written during the war were published here. Before his 85th birthday in 1953 February 20 Vydūnas died. Ceremonially buried in Detmold cemetery. 1991. October 19 The remains of Vydūnas were moved to his birthplace, the Bitėnai cemetery (Pagėgiai municipality) near his beloved Rambynas mountain.
