"The main aim of student associations is to provide broader strata of population with at least some education."
Abstract
This study focuses on the life and ideals of university students, especially their activities in the Academic Readers' Union in Jičín at the beginning of the 20th century. Despite the fact that the Union organised events only during school holidays, when its members were at home, it had a significant impact on the cultural life of the town.
After a brief description of the first thirty years of the Union's existence (1870-1900), this contribution presents a detailed analysis of students' activities in 1900-1910. These included various educational efforts, such as the running of a public library, lectures, and exhibitions, but also entertainment in the form of theatre, folk academies, various celebrations, dances, excursions, and the like.
The author reveals some disagreements between the Union's members, analyses their political views, tries to assess how activities within the Academic Readers' Union influenced the future life of its members, and evaluates the impact of their activities on the town of Jičín.