Metadata: The Jewish Student Society Vetulia, University of Latvia
Collection
- Country:
- Latvia
- Holding institution:
- Latvian State Historical Archives
- Holding institution (official language):
- Latvijas Valsts vēstures arhīvs
- Postal address:
- 16 Slokas Street, Rīga, LV-1048
- Phone number:
- +371 67 613 118
- Web address:
- http://www.arhivi.lv/index.php?&16
- Reference number:
- LVVA f. 4263
- Title:
- The Jewish Student Society Vetulia, University of Latvia
- Title (official language):
- Latvijas Universitates ebreju studentu biedriba "Vetulia"
- Creator/accumulator:
- Jewish Student Society Vetulia, University of Latvia
- Date(s):
- 1902/1940
- Language:
- Russian
- Latvian
- German
- Hebrew
- Yiddish
- Extent:
- 201 files
- Type of material:
- Textual material
- Physical condition:
- good
- Scope and content:
-
The collection consists of the papers of the Jewish student society Vetulia. It contains materials from the pre-revolutionary and interwar periods of the society's activity.
Several files include papers from the society's administrative bodies, such as protocols from meetings of the governing board and general assembly and papers and minutes of the society’s revision commission, internal court and library. Statutes and other administrative materials, such as account books, can also be found in the files, along with lists of the society's members at different points in its existence, members of the board, various commissions and the self-help fund and lists of participants during events organised by the society.
The materials reflect issues such as the society's connections with other Jewish organisations and student societies. These include correspondence with student organisations in Latvia and abroad (including Limuvia in Riga and Tartu and Unitas and Beitaria in Riga), communal and political organisations such as the Zionist Jewish National Fund and local charity societies (Bikur Holim and others). Letters to and from the local authorities in Riga on the approval of concerts, lectures and other public activities held by the society, as well as correspondence with members and alumni on various issues – payment of membership fees, invitations and greetings – are also included in the collection.
An important part of the collection reflecting the society's ideological and intellectual environment is the lists and transcripts of lectures given at the society's meetings throughout its existence. The subjects discussed at the society's meetings include Jewish history from biblical to modern times (including accounts on the pogroms during the Russian civil war), the state of the Jewish population in Soviet Russia, Zionism and Jewish thought and literature. A historical account of the activities of the society and a hand-written newspaper are also included in the collection.
Several files include documents relating to other student organisations (including Hashmonea, Limuvia and Yardenia), including correspondence, lists of members and other materials.
- Archival history:
- After World War II the materials from the interwar period, along with earlier materials, were kept in the Central State Archive of the Latvian SSR. In 1962 the materials originating from the pre-Soviet period were deposited in the Central State Historical Archive of the Latvian SSR, predecessor of the current State Historical Archive.
- Administrative/biographical history:
-
The Polytechnic Institute of Riga was established in 1862 as the Polytechnikum of Riga. At the time it was the first multi-profile institution of higher education in imperial Russia. In the 1890s the Polytechnikum became a polytechnic institute. During the interwar period the institute became part of the University of Latvia, established in Riga in 1919.
Vetulia was established in 1902 by Jewish students from the polytechnic institute. Its functions were interrupted by World War I but were renewed in the early 1920s and continued until its liquidation after the Soviet takeover of Latvia. Vetulia did not gain the official recognition of the general students' assembly (Konvent), but maintained many of the features of a student corporation. It kept close ties with other student organizations in Latvia and with various organizations abroad, including the Limuvia society of Jewish students in Tartu.
- Access points: locations:
- Riga
- System of arrangement:
- The collection consists of two inventories. Some materials relating to Velulia can be also found in f. 2470 (The Jewish Student Society Hashmonea, University of Latvia).
- Finding aids:
- For additional data see the website of the Latvian Archives. A description of the Jewish-related materials is available at the Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People in Jerusalem.
- Links to finding aids:
- www.arhivi.lv/index.php?&3
- Yerusha Network member:
- Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People
- Author of the description:
- Alex Valdman, Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People, 2015
