Iš viršaus ir/ar apačios : JAV lietuvių jaunimo organizavimo(-si) istorijos fragmentai (1957–1972 m.)

Abstract

The problem of youth organization encountered in the 1940s gained momentum and became more acute in the early 60s. When the Lithuanian World Community (LWC) had formed its organizational structure and defined its operational goals, Lithuanian emigrants faced the problem of continuity in their community-related activities. There wasn’t any organization that united the world’s Lithuanian youth. There were Scouts, Ateitininkai, Knights of Lithuania, Neo-Lituania, Santara–Šviesa, and various sports organizations. Most of them were ideological in nature, as they represented the only ideologically conscious young people who could withstand the risk of losing their nationality. Conscious, powerful, and well-organized youth were the only guarantee that the activities of the Lithuanian community would continue. The LWC was not the only diaspora institution concerned with attracting young people. Two major organizations, the Lithuanian–American Council (Amerikos lietuvių taryba, AL T in Lithuanian) and the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania (Vyriausiasis Lietuvos išlaisvinimo komitetas, VLIK in Lithuanian) were also interested in this. Kristina ŪSAI TĖ From th e top and/or th e bott om: examp les of th e history of Lith uanian–Am erican Youth OrganiZations (1957–1972) The main purpose of this article is to find out how Lithuanian–American youth organized itself prior to 1972, the year when the World Lithuanian Youth Association (WLYA ) was established. It also seeks to clarify whether the forms of organization were taken over from independent Lithuania and continued the traditions of the so-called DP (Displaced Persons’) camps in Europe or were more influenced by Western traditions. What difficulties arose in relations with the senior Lithuanian generation in the United States?[...]