Lithuanian literature, body of writings in the Lithuanian language. In the grand duchy of Lithuania, which stretched in the 14th and 15th centuries from the Baltic to the Black Sea, the official language was Belorussian, and later Latin. In the 16th century the temporary spread of Protestantism, and thereafter the Counter-Reformation, led to the writing of religious works in the vernacular.
The first known Lithuanian printed book was the catechism of M. Mažvydas (1547). Later there appeared the religious writings of J. Bretkūnas, or J. Bretke. In 1701 the New Testament was published and, in 1727, the entire Scriptures. Until the 18th century, books were mostly of a religious character. Among publications outside this category, the first Lithuanian dictionary, K. Širvydas’ Dictionarium trium linguarum (1629), is noteworthy.
The 18th century produced more books of secular tendency, including grammars, dictionaries, and the first collections of folk songs. The most significant work of the period was the poem of Kristijonas Donelaitis called Metai (1818; “The Four Seasons”); it is written in hexameters, shows German influence, and depicts village life throughout the year.
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During the first half of the 19th century there arose a new movement to create a Lithuanian literary language and foster a new Romantic interest in the early history of the country. In the literature of the period, notably in the poetry of Simanas Stanevičius and Dionyzas Poška, a surge of Western influence appeared in the wake of the French Revolution. Despite a Russian prohibition of the printing of Lithuanian writings in Latin letters, this renaissance was continued by Bishop Motiejus Valančius, noted for religious and educational works, and by Bishop Antanas Baranauskas, a poet whose greatest work was Anykščių šilelis (1858–59; The Forest of Anykščiai). The literature of this era sought to rally Lithuanians against the political control of Russia and the cultural influence of Poland.
The first modern Lithuanian periodical, Aušra (“Dawn”), founded in 1883 by Jonas Basanavičius, gave its name to the literature of the ensuing generation. One of the poems of Vincas Kudirka, a leading publicist and short-story writer, became the national anthem of independent Lithuania. The most famous Lithuanian poet, Jonas Mačiulis (pseudonym Maironis), was noted for both dramatic and lyric poetry and has been called “the poet-prophet of the Lithuanian renaissance.” Other distinguished names were Vilius Storasta (pseudonym Vydūnas), philosopher, poet, and dramatist; J. Biliūnas, a sensitive short-story writer; and Juozas Tumas (called Vaižgantas), a literary critic.
In 1918 Lithuania regained independence. Writers began to concentrate on developing national culture and a greater degree of sophistication in literature. Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius, novelist and dramatist, was regarded by some as the greatest Lithuanian writer, and Jurgis Baltrušaitis achieved distinction as a lyrical poet. Other prominent figures were Vincas Mykolaitis, who pioneered the modern Lithuanian romance; Balys Sruoga and Kazys Binkis, both poets and dramatists; and Ignas Šeinius, novelist and short-story writer.
When Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940 and again in 1944, writers were compelled to follow the communist line. Those Lithuanian writers working in the West tried to further the development of the national literature. New modes of expression were successfully attempted in the philosophical poetry of Alfonsas Nyka-Niliūnas, in the idylls of J. Mekas, and in the novels of Marius Katiliškis. The genres most favoured have been the short story and the lyric.
