Biographical study and bibliography of published works, also works about Andrew Sniadecki (Jędrzej Sniadecki, 1768-1838), a famous professor of chemistry at the University of Vilnius, Lithuania, inspired us to revitalize a tradition to celebrate his birthday. The event was so popular within the university community in 19th ct. In 2012 the first event of scholarly readings, named „Lectiones Vilnenses Andreae Sniadecki“ was organized. Now it is organized at the same date (30 November) for three years already. During the Lectiones papers and lecture texts by Sniadecki are read. Preference is given to unpublished and less known works. Texts are read by famous specialist of the field, also by enthusiasts. During the discussions suggestions for the commemoration of a chemical heritage are introduced, the place for next event is voted for. It should have a historical link with the activities of prof. Sniadecki. The coming event will include a lecture with demonstration of chemical experiments, and the actors will be involved. The event was started by a lonely enthusiast, and now it became a good practice for historians of chemistry to meet; each time it attracts community of science history enthusiasts, information is disseminated to reach even wider community. In the paper a good practice of an event will be presented, the suggestions for international scope will be both raised and requested.

1. „LECTIONES VILNENSES ANDREAE
SNIADECKI“ – PRACTICE OF HERITAGE
DISSEMINATION
Dr. Birutė Railienė
Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian
Academy of Sciences
b.railiene@gmail.com
10th International Conference on the History of
Chemistry,
Aveiro, Portugal. 2015 Sept. 9–12

2. Biography of an inspiring personality is a
tool and source to organize commemoration events

3. • „Lectiones Vilnenses Andreae Sniadecki“ was
started by a lonely enthusiast in 2012, and
now it became a good practice for historians
of chemistry to meet; each time expanding
and attracting a community of science history
enthusiasts.

4. Biographical study and
bibliography of published
works, also works about
Andrew Sniadecki (Jędrzej
Sniadecki, 1768-1838), a
famous professor of
chemistry at the University
of Vilnius, Lithuania,
inspired us to bring back to
life a tradition to celebrate
his birthday. The event was
rather popular within the
university community in
19th ct.

5. The personality of Sniadecki has several highlights:
• Leading steps in education of chemistry, establishing a
scientific school;
• Leading tractate in philosophy of nature in Europe;
• Attempt to discover a new element vestium (known as
Ruthenium, discovered later by K. Klaus);
• Revolutionary ideas in physical education for children;
• Humorous nature and popular social activity.

6. • Collegium medicum – a
place, where A. Sniadecki
gave lectures of medicine.
In the courtyard the first
botanical garden of the
University was started, to
grow herbs for lectures of
pharmacology.

7. Original place where
A. Sniadecki gave lectures of
chemistry is still available
for public.

8. Początki chemii stosownie do teraznieyszego tey umieiętności
stanu dla pozytku uczniów i słuchaczów ułożone y za wzor lekcyi
akademickich słuzyc maiące. – Wilno : Druk. Akademicka, 1800. –
T. 1. – X, 401 p.; T. 2. – 326, [38] p.
Chemijos pradmenys / iš lenkų kalbos vertė: Emilija Ivaškevič,
Mudis Šalkauskas; spaudai parengė, įžanginį straipsnį ir straipsnį
anglų kalba parašė Birutė Railienė. – Vilnius : Vilniaus univ. l-kla,
2004. – 322 p. : lent. – ISBN 9986–19–622–1.

9. Teorya jestestw organicznych. – Warszawa
: Druk. nr 646, 1804. – T. 1. – 264 p.
Theory of Organic Entities – a
leading tractate in
philosophy of nature in
Europe . In few years was
translated to German and
French languages.

10. Attempt to discover a new
element vestium
(known as Ruthenium,
discovered later by K.
Klaus) gives a good
example how one
should not give up in
research.
Picture from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruthenium

11. • Fizyczne wychowanie dzieci /
dzieło Jędrzeja Śniadeckiego ;
wydanie Kazimiera Józefa
Turowskiego. – Sanok : Nakł. i
druk. K. Pollaka, 1855. – IV, 149,
[1] p.
• O fizyczném wychowaniu dzieci. –
Wilno : Nakł. A. Assa, 1856. –
251, [1] p.
Revolutionary ideas in physical
education for children were
well accepted both by
contemporary and future
colleagues.

12. Wiadomości Brukowe. - Wilno, 1816-
1822.
Humorous nature and popular
social activity.
Wiadomości Brukowe (Wilno,
1816-1822). Published by a
“secret” society
“Szubrawcy” (Engl. –
Rascals).

13. • Attraction: a tradition of annual meetings for the
affinity group was warmly accepted by science history
lovers;
• Target group: scientific heritage if presented in an
attractive form – amuse young generation which is
our target group, but lobbying is our reality – we have
to find who will pay for history of science investigation;
• Dissemination: all forms considered: short articles in
popular scholarly press, newsletters, facebook;
documentary film; public lectures; meetings;
demonstrations.

14. Dr. Birutė Railienė and dr. Roman
Sioda – enthusiasts of Andrew
Sniadecki. Before the seminar on A.
Sniadecki‘s heritage. 2011, Polish
Academy of Sciences, Warszawa.

15. Dr. B. Railienė gives a lecture on the
occasion of naming an auditorium
after Andrew Sniadecki at the faculty
of Chemistry of Vilnius university in
2012.

16. The president of the Lithuanian
Association for History and Philosophy
of Sciences Prof. J. A. Krikštopaitis
introduces the ideas of A. Sniadecki at
the first Lectiones. 2012, Vilnius.

17. Dr. Rimantas Vaitkus (President of the
Lithuanian Chemical Society, First
deputy chancellor of the Government)
and dr. Birutė Railienė opening the
second Lectiones. 2012, Vilnius.

18. Prof. Dobilas Kirvelis itroduces main
ideas from the book „Theory of
Organic Entities“ at Lectiones. 2013,
Vilnius.

19. Prof. Aivaras Kareiva and Krzysztof
Sniadecki-Lempke, an ancestor of
Andrew Sniadecki at the Lectiones.
2014, Vilnius.

20. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXodQjH7Geo

21. Secret conclusion:
• Annual meeting within an affinity group
guarantees a positive load for a laborious
work during all coming year 