Press release, 10 December 2013
Honourable participants of the meeting, distinguished guests,
Kristijonas Donelaitis is the founding father of Lithuanian fiction. As the years passed by, the oeuvre of the poet has not lost its relevance but rather increased in value, like a jewel polished by time. The number of admirers of the classical writer has increased not only in Lithuania but far behind its borders. The poem “The Seasons” has been translated into over a dozen of languages of the world.
Donelaitis was a master of writing with an impeccable knowledge of his native language and a gifted author, who artistically embellished the language. It is difficult to find a line in the most renowned poem “The Seasons” that is written in other than lively, picturesque and emotional style. The poet felt the beauty of the language and managed to emphasise it; therefore, readers are perfectly able to perceive both the imagery and the sound while reading.
According to literature researchers, Kristijonas Donelaitis was an ordinary, frank, direct and open person ready to call a spade a spade. The poet said, “I take pride in my grey hair and I have nothing to be ashamed about”. Kristijonas Donelaitis considered it to be of value not to hide his own self, to be truthful and honest to oneself both in his works and personal life; he valued his love for his family, homeland and nature. The poet valued people for their ability to live honestly rather than their historic merits. This is still significant today, after three hundred years.
We often forget our customs, relinquish our roots and neglect our past. The importance of national identity is in decline. The works of Kristijonas Donelaitis encourage us to cherish the Lithuanian language and our customs and help strengthening our self-respect. They make us stop and reflect on our roots and identity as well as pay due respect to our ancestors.
The contribution of Donelaitis to the Lithuanian culture and the development of the national consciousness is so far underestimated. I therefore believe that we should continue promoting his oeuvre in Lithuania and worldwide, especially by engaging the young generation, not only in the coming Year of Donelaitis, but also beyond 2014. Scholars organise annual conferences to commemorate the Lithuanian linguist Jonas Jablonskis. We could think of a similar tradition to mark the life of Kristijonas Donelaitis, too.
Scholars and representatives of various institutions could be engaged in the further work of the commission responsible for the next year’s events to mark the jubilee of Kristijonas Donelaitis after 2014.
The modern flow of information makes it difficult for people to make their choice; superficial interpretation of information therefore prevails. I hope that the next year devoted to Kristijonas Donelaitis will encourage more insightful debate on the works which have a long-term value for future generations, and on the lessons to be learnt and the impact of the works on the Lithuanian identity.
By creating “The Seasons”, Kristijonas Donelaitis erected a monument to our nation. The Lithuanian nation has built to him a rather scarce number of monuments, in a wider sense of the word. Let us read and speak about Donelaitis, learn from him and teach our children to be fair and to honestly perform their duties.
As the poet wrote, let us behave “with grace”, rather than be “rascals”.
