The
Filaret Association (also translated as
filaret(e)s,
philaret(e)s; 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.
Prominent members: