Exposition „Following the Path of Immanuel Kant“
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) – a figure of global significance – was a famous thinker of the 18th century and the founder of German classical philosophy. The philosopher spoke positively about the character of the Prussian Lithuanian and the Lithuanian language. He lectured at the University of Königsberg and had many students and followers. His philosophical ideas inspired significant reforms such as the abolition of serfdom and the establishment of city regulations, which were adhered to in Klaipeda well into the 1940s.
The ties of Kant’s ancestors with the Klaipeda region (Kantvainiai, Priekulė, Verdainė, Šilutė, Klaipėda) are undeniable. Cultural researchers and historians have confirmed this fact, based on documents stored in the churches of Klaipeda, and in the archives of Klaipeda and Šilokarčema (now Šilutė) districts.
From the 17th century, three generations of the Kant family lived in Klaipeda and its surroundings – great-grandparents, grandparents, father, and uncles. They were baptized and married in the old and new St. John’s Church of the city. They were also buried there. The family owned real estate on both sides of Klaipeda – in the Old Town and in Friedrichstadt. The great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were saddlers, masters of this craft. Their products were in high demand, so the family undoubtedly interacted with many residents of Klaipėda and travelers passing through with carriages or on horseback.
Kant’s great-grandfather, Richard Kant (1610?–1646), lived in the village of Kantvainiai near Agluonėnai in the Klaipeda district and was the elder of this village. He is honored in Kantvainiai with a memorial plaque in the form of a baptismal font.
Kant’s grandfather, Hans Kant (1640?–1715), lived in Memel (Klaipeda) and had a house in the Friedrichstadt suburb. He was buried in the St. John’s Church of Klaipeda. Hans Kant’s sister, Johana Sophie Kant (1635?–1710?), was married twice to Scotsmen; her descendants spread to Memel (Klaipeda) and left a deep mark here. Kant’s father, Johann Georg Kant (1683–1764), was born and raised in Klaipeda.
The „Following the Path of Immanuel Kant” tour (Klaipeda-Kantvainiai-Šilutė-Verdainė-Šereitlaukis-Vilkyškiai) audioguide (https://bit.ly/AUDIOGIDAS) offers the opportunity to explore Kant’s path of knowledge independently.
The exposition at the Klaipeda City Municipality’s Immanuel Kant Public Library mentions six locations related to Kant’s personality, his ancestors, his students, and the dissemination of the philosopher’s ideas.
KANTVAINIAI
I. Immanuel Kant’s great-grandfather Richard Kant lived in the village of Kantvainiai near Agluonėnai (Klaipėda district) during the Swedish rule period (1629 – 1635). It is said that the great-grandfather was the elder (village leader) of this village. In Kantvainiai, he is honored with a memorial plaque in the form of a baptismal plate.
VERDAINĖ
In this settlement, Immanuel Kant’s great-grandfather, Richard Kant, acquired one of the former inns. Over time, a restaurant called „Villa Werden” („Verdainė Villa”) was established on the site instead of the inn. Immanuel Kant’s great-grandmother, Dorothea, is buried in Verdainė Cemetery, where a chapel has remained. Currently, Verdainė is a part of the town Šilutė.
ŠILUTĖ
Around 1900, documents pertaining to the ancestors of philosopher Immanuel Kant were found in the Šilutė Evangelical Lutheran Church, and they were published by the historian Johann Sembritzki.
KLAIPĖDA
Immanuel Kant’s grandparents, father, and uncles lived here. The philosopher’s grandfather, Hans Kant, lived in Klaipėda, in the town of Friedrich, in 1671. It is believed that his house stood on the edge of the Old Market Square. He is buried in St. John’s Church in Klaipėda.
KARALIAUČIUS (Königsberg)
Immanuel Kant was born April 22, 1724, in Königsberg to the family of Johann Georg Kant. He lived and graduated from the University of Königsberg, afterwards worked in this city. He died February 12, 1804 and was buried in the Königsberg Cathedral.
ŠEREITLAUKIS
Rural settlement Šereitlaukis is related to the most famous apprentice of I. Kant, the great Prussian reformer who implemented reforms in the spirit of his teacher I. Kant – Heinrich Theodor von Schön (1773–1856). The Šereitlaukis Manor, where H. T. von Schön was born, is an object of historical, cultural, and artistic value.
EXHIBITION SYMBOLS:
CLOCK
Immanuel Kant was an extremely punctual person. The significance of the hours on the clock in the exhibition reflects the philosopher’s strict daily schedule. For many years, he would wake up every day at the same time at 5 a.m., have lunch at 1 p.m., go for a walk at 7 p.m., and go to bed at 10 p.m.
KANTOmeter
Immanuel Kant’s height was 157 cm. The „KANTOmeter” invites you to compare your height with that of the famous philosopher and conveys the message that what truly matters is not only a person’s physical attributes but also the power of their intellect and wisdom.
PUBLICATION EXHIBITION
Immanuel Kant wrote six works: „Critique of Pure Reason” (1781), „Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics That Will Be Able to Present Itself as a Science” (1783), „Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals” (1785), „Critique of Practical Reason” (1788), „Critique of the Power of Judgment” (1790), and „Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason” (1793). All of these books are displayed in the exhibition.
Immanuel Kant’s Genealogy Tree:
Great-grandparents:
Anna Mielke (1652–1720) and Michael Felgenhauer (1645–1691)
Hans Reinsh (1615–?)
Richard Kant (c. 1610–1646) and Dorothea Kant (née Lieder) (c. 1615–c. 1665)
Grandparents:
Regina Reuter (née Felgenhauser) (1673–1735) and Caspar Reuter (1670–1729)
Anna Kant (née Reinsh) (c. 1645–1698) and Hans Kant (c. 1640–1715)
Grandfather’s sister:
Johana Sophie Karr (née Kant) (c. 1635–c. 1710) and her husband Johm (Hans) Karr
First Cousin:
Anna Sophie Douglas (née Karr) (1681–1739) and her husband Alexander Douglas (1678–1722)
Parents:
Johan Georg Kant (1683–1764) and Anna Regina Kant (née Reuter) (1697–1737)
Siblings:
Johann Heinrich Kant (1735–1800)
Katharina Barbara Theuer (née Kant) (1731–1807)
Anna Luisa Schultz (née Kant) (1730–1774)
Maria Elisabeth Kronert (née Kant) (1727–1796)
Johann Friedrich Kant (1722–1723)
Regina Dorothea Kant (1719–1746)
Infant Kant (1717–1717)