“The annual poetry spring festival is a tradition that has been going on for almost 60 years. The interesting and youthful program of the festival includes live meetings with poets of various generations, readings, conversations about literature, evenings of poetry and music, literature lessons, excursions, exhibitions that decorate the cultural life of Vilnius. Poetry spreads in the most creative forms, which are appreciated by the prizes provided during the festival. One of them is the prize of the mayor of the city of Vilnius. This year is truly exceptional, as even two such prizes will be awarded to writers, poets and translators. Also encouraging foreign creators to pay attention to Vilnius and its literature in their work,” said Vice Mayor Simona Bieliūnė, who presented prizes to creators on behalf of the mayor.
Poet, literary scholar, critic, translator dr. Mindaugas Kvietkauskas is extremely deserving of the dissemination of the multi-ethnic culture of Vilnius. Multi-pronged creativity, researching the facts and mysteries of Vilnius culture and spreading knowledge about Vilnius are worthy of thanks. Poetry dedicated to Vilnius is related to the history of the city, its personalities, locations. For the sense of aesthetic vitality and preservation in the texts of “Uosto fugo”.
Poet, writer, theater expert, translator from Germany dr. Schirin Nowrousian worked at the Department of German Philology of Vilnius University and was actively involved in the literary and cultural life of the city – she participated in poetry readings, wrote articles and read reports about poetic testimonies from the Vilnius ghetto, the “Lithuanian” activity of the creator did not stop, even after she returned to Germany – in 2019 organized an international symposium dedicated to Hermann Adler. Her poetry collection “Wilna-Worte / Vilnius words” published in autumn 2022 is an expression of respect for the capital of Lithuania, its inhabitants and Schirin Nowrousian’s own time in Vilnius.
Another important award was also presented today – the award named after Laimonas Noreika – to theater, television and film actress, the best actress-reader of “Poezijas pavasaris” Jolanta Dapkūnaitei.
Jolanta Dapkūnaitė, a talented actress with a memorable voice, is known by visitors to literary events, spectators, event organizers, and radio listeners as an intellectual reader who interprets works sensitively and interestingly. The laureate has prepared many literary programs, she can often be seen at various literary events, at the international poetry festival Poezios pavasaris.
During the fifteen days of this year’s “Poetry Spring”, more than 100 events are planned – over 30 of them will be held in Vilnius – from Grigiškii to VU Botanical Garden in Kairenai. Vilnius residents and guests of the city are also invited to visit the closing evening of the “Poetry Spring” international festival at the Vilnius Town Hall on May 28. The event will be moderated by poet Laima Kreivytė and poet, literary scholar Dr. Mindaugas Kvietkauskas.
Since 1965, the annual international poetry festival has been organized by the Lithuanian Writers’ Union and the Writers’ Club. At the festival, Lithuanian and foreign poets read their works, actors, singers, musicians, painters take part.
