The story of this incredibly strong and resilient woman is evocatively conveyed by the storyteller Milda Varnauskaitė, who studied the art of storytelling in the Netherlands and elsewhere. From the story, we learn that Magdalena, no matter how fast her legs saved her, could not avoid torture by Russian gendarmes and exile to the depths of Russia. Under torture, she did not betray her comrades, and after returning from exile, she continued to work as a bookseller until the press was recovered.
Magdė, who grew up in poverty, learned to read and write herself, as an adult, because she really wanted to know what was written in those books and newspapers. “And would you learn to read Lithuanian, write Lithuanian, if it wasn’t taught in schools?” is the question at the end of the story and the wish to find at least a little of Magdalena Bankaitė, her courage and desire for knowledge.
This story did not appear by chance – this year we celebrate the 120th anniversary of the recovery of the Lithuanian press. “Stories teach, inspire and remind us of things that are really important,” says VLKK chairman Dr. Violeta Meiliūnaitė also calls on the public to create a common narrative about language, people and the state.
The work was filmed in the space of the Adam Mickevičius public library of Vilnius county, which commemorates the era of booksellers. Filming and editing work was carried out by VšĮ “Vilniaus studija”.
The video is available on VLKK’s YouTube channel (see here). It is suggested to be shared, used in classes, events, etc.
Source: www.15min.lt
