Filaret Association

The Filaret Association (also translated as filaret(e)s, philaret(e)s; Polish:Zgromadzenie Filaretów, Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Pożytecznej Zabawy, filareci; from the Greek philáretos, "lovers of virtue") was a secret organization created in 1820 by Tomasz Zan within the Philomates following the dissolution, under pressure from Wilno University authorities, of the Radiant Association. The Filaretes continued the latter's traditions, but with a much clearer pro-Polish-independence goal. They were dedicated to the study of Polish patriotic literature. The Association was disbanded in 1823 following the arrests of the Philomathes.