Žemaitija was the main source of the Lithuanian cultural revival during the 19th century and was a focal point for the smuggling of books printed in the Lithuanian language, which was banned by the occupying Russians.
Žemaitija var en vigtigste del af den litauiske kulturelle vækkelse i 1800-tallet, og var et knudepunkt for indsmugling af bøger trykt i det forbudte litauiske sprog.