Send Gift Baskets to Telsiai, Lithuania

Lake Mastis is mentioned in various legends and myths. According to legend, a knight named Džiugas founded the city after he came back home after visiting (and searching for) the Island of Gemstones. Telšiai was first mentioned in writing in the 1450s, but the earliest archeological evidence of settlement in this region goes back to Stone Age times.

Telšiai housed an estate in the 15th century. It was governed by local elders. Telšiai was at the center of one of many uprisings led by a Samogitian peasant.

Telšiai was able to become the center for Samogitia’s culture and politics in the 17th century. Local assemblies known as “sejmiks” were organized and there was a court established too. Telšiai gained Magdeburg rights by the end of that century.

Telšiai was a sanctuary for Polish Lithuanians fighting Russians during the November Uprising. A group of rebel officers set up a revolutionary government and military schools were opened to provide training for officers and NCOs. The city of Telšiai was an early point for the uprising in Samogitia in 1863. Insurrectionist forces gathered there to create a united force throughout the region.

Telšiai has grown steadily over the years, and in 1908 it hosted Lithuania’s first-ever concert event. The town got its fire brigade in 1901, with a pharmacy and theatre opening shortly thereafter.

The city survived two Polish revolutions, was conquered by Germans in World War I, and was occupied by the Red Army for a short time in 1918.

The years of Lithuanian independence, 1918 to 1940 was a golden age for Telšiai – many high schools and seminaries were established there. This has led to young girls and boys receiving a quality education. The Alka Museum was constructed and many cultural societies appeared. In 1935, Telšiai became the center of the country’s administration.

The first Soviet occupation of Telšiai was notable because of the nearby Rainiai massacre, where 76 Lithuanian political prisoners were murdered by the Red Army in June 1941.

Telšiai is the 12th largest Lithuanian city and the center of Telšiai County and Telšiai district municipality. Telšiai is an educational hub with up to 5 schools. The most notable colleges in the area are the Vilnius Academy of Art and the College of Samogitia.

On 22 January 2013, The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania announced that Telšiai would be named the Lithuanian Capital of Culture.