EXPLORE
I BELIEVE. THEREFORE I AM.
dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the birth of Stasys Šalkauskis
Stasys Šalkauskis’ wife, closest companion, and supporter of his ideals was Julija Paltarokaitė. Julija, then a university student, and Professor Stasys first met at gatherings of the Ateitininkai organisation, as they were both members of the organisation. Julija studied Lithuanian language and pedagogy at the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy of the University of Lithuania. Julija and Stasys became engaged in the spring of 1927 and were married on 28 December 1927.
The love letters of Stasys Šalkauskis to his fiancée Julija Paltarokaitė clearly show that the philosopher lived according to the ideas he developed and allowed them to guide his life. At times Professor Šalkauskis even felt compelled to apologise to Julija that his letters "depart from the usual limits of correspondence", explaining why this happened. In these letters he described his frequent changes of mood and the reasons behind them. Writing openly about the life he imagined for them together, he warned that his words were not empty and that a life joined with his destiny might require "sacrifices that you cannot yet foresee". Ultimately he described life with him in the following way: "Walking with me together into the struggle of life, you will honourably bear its hardships and faithfully fulfil the duties of the most beloved companion of my life".
"Upwards, to the Heights!" became the motto chosen by Stasys and Julija Šalkauskis for their family.
From the memoirs of Julija Šalkauskienė: "Guided by our motto, ‘Upwards, to the Heights!’, we wanted to help each other grow in perfection and spiritual maturity". Our conversations were a true spiritual feast that strengthened our love and raised it to the heights of spiritual fulfilment. They remained with me throughout my life as the brightest hours of my life. During those conversations, Stasys radiated a special nobility, as though inspired by the spirit of holiness, shining with perfect love. He inspired the same love in me".
In 1931, Julija and Stasys Šalkauskis had their only son, Julius. The happy life they shared continued until 1940, when Soviet troops occupied Lithuania in June. At that time, Stasys, who was serving as Rector of Vytautas Magnus University, was removed from his position. The Soviet occupiers regarded him as an enemy, and he was unable to find work anywhere, as no one was willing to employ him. As his health worsened, Stasys returned with his family to his parents’ home in Šiauliai, where he died on 4 December 1941.
