Julius Voeltcke

Julius Voeltzke - Jūliuss or Jūlijs Felcke (in Latvian)

We can tell You about Julius Voeltzkes life and his family - his offspring has left grate influence in Latvian cultural history. They have been the first ones, initiators, beginners, pioneers. For example, his son-in-law Pēteris Alunāns was one of the founders of Union of Latvians in Rīga and Jelgava (as well as his brothers: Juris - founder of Latvian poetry, Indriķis - translator and publisher in Jelgava).

His grandson Ādolfs Alunāns was founder of Latvian theatre, other grandson Nikolajs Alunāns - compositor and one of the founders of Latvian Conservatory of Music, and granddaughter Luīze Skujeniece was first Latvian woman journalist and theatre critic. Representatives of their family are still known in Latvia and our neighbour country Lithuania as well.

Julius Voeltcke (in Latvian we call him Jūliuss or Jūlijs Felcke) himself was alderman or town councillor of Jelgava city - it was very prominent social status for that time.

His granddaughter Luīze Skujeniece writes in her memories:

“Julius Voelt>Mrs. Voeltcke was tiny, bent old woman, likewise dressed in 19th century fashion; her white hair braids were fastened in circles above her ears like seashell spirals; her head was covered with white lace bonnet and its violet ribbons were tied under her chin in a big knot. In her lap was pompadour handbag with perfumed fine batiste handkerchief.

Their daughter Otīlija Voeltcke was remarkable women - cultural and educated, she cared for mental development of her 6 children. She was married with Pēteris Alunāns and her future life was connected with Alunāns family.”

Source:

L. Skujeniece, raksts „Atmiņas par Ādolfu Alunānu”, žurnāls „Skatuve un dzīve”, Nr. 6, 1913. g. 170 lpp.

(L. Skujeniece, article „Memories of Ādolfs Alunāns”, journal „Stage and life”, Nr. 6, 1913, 170 p)

Name of Jelgavas watchmaker Julius Voeltcke was known in all Courland (Duchy in part of nowadays Latvia territory). In his house in Jelgava, in street of Svēte was born and in childhood lived his daughters Otīlija Luīze son Ādolfs Alunāns - founder of Latvian theatre, already in his lifetime called the “Father of the Latvian theatre”.

The impressive alderman of Jelgava was strict in upbringing of children, grate admirer of theatre and often went to Jelgavas German theatre with his grandson Ādolfs Alunāns.

Julius Voeltcke is buried in cemetery of St. Jānis Church, after the World War II known as park of Alunāns (named after grandson of Julius Voelcke - Ādolfs Alunāns).

Source:

“Ratslinie der Stadt Mitau in Kurland 1573 - 1918”

Avots:

Evija Elpere

Ādolfa Alunāna memoriālais muzejs