This monument is dedicated to the enlightened person, teacher, publicist and public figure, author of textbooks for schools, Jonas Murka (1889-1945). J. Murka is a creator of the national school, the author of 19 books, who lived and worked most of his life in Šiauliai. In 1928, for his educational work he was awarded a fourth-degree Order of Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas.
“The First Day” is a monument not only to Jonas Murka, but in general, it is probably the first monument to the Teacher in Lithuania. It is a nice example of patronage. The sculpture is placed on a book, which symbolizes the source of knowledge, from which the tree grows. There is a black sphere on its top, symbolizing darkness; rays penetrating through it mean light that fragments darkness. Educational light spreads to six cardinal points.
Reviews