Hitlerio asmens kulto atspindžiai 1941–1944 m. Kaune leistoje spaudoje
The Involvement of Hitler‘s Cult in the Press of Kaunas from 1941 to 1944

Summary/Abstract: The beginning of Hitler’s Cult dates back to 1922. It reached its peak in June–August 1934 with the establishment of the “Führer state” (or “Führerstaat”). With the commencement of war against the UdSSR on June 22, 1941 and creation of “Reichskommissariat Ostland”, the territory of Hitler’s Cult was extended as well. The successful start of the war suddenly offered a favourable advantage for Hitler to be seen as liberator. One of the most valuable means to spread this cult was press. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the involvement of Hitler’s Cult in Kaunas’ Lithuanian press from 1941–1944: what particular aspects of Hitler’s Cult or of national socialist ideology were presented in the press as being attractive, familiar and/or relevant to Lithuanians? After the analysis of six different names of newspapers and magazines published in Kaunas from 1941–1944, it can be concluded that based on the motives of the publishers and the readers of particular papers, Hitler’s Cultist ideology was being spread to emphasise different aspects of national socialism. “Police” (or „Policija“) stressed the appeal of Hitler’s personality and ideology to the youth. “New Farmstead” (or „Naujoji sodyba“) – the possibility for farmers to labour after Hitler banished the bolsheviks. The “Farmer’s Advisor” („Ūkininko Patarėjas“) – presented Hitler’s Cult as a liberator from Jews, thus, the anti-Semitic ideas were popular. “Towards Freedom” („Į laisvę“) cherished Hitler’s Cult as a genious commander. “Future” („Ateitis“) and “Week” „Savaitė“) was used to spread variuous aspects of Hitler’s Cult. Because of this, it is hard to define one single particular aspect.

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