In short

Kristijonas Donelaitis is one of the most prominent Lithuanian poets, which is why his sculpture is built in such an honourable place in the Vilnius University ensemble, where it is placed in the facade of the main building of Vilnius University.

A monument to Kristijonas Donelaitis made of glass plastic was created by sculptor Konstantinas Bogdanas in the crypt of Vilnius University to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the poet’s birth. The name of the poet is written on the pedestal, along with the dates of his birth and death, and when the monument was erected. The poet is depicted sitting in a calm, majestic pose with an open book on his knees.

Brief History

Kristijonas Donelaitis (01/01/1714 – 18/02/1780) is recognised outside of Lithuania, too. His work has received international recognition and his poem Metai (The Year) has been translated into several foreign languages.

In fact, UNESCO added The Year to the Library of European Literary Masterpieces in 1977, alongside the epic works of Homer and Virgil. They are translated into German, Latvian, Polish, English, Russian, Czech, Japanese, Swedish, Georgian, Armenian, Hungarian, Belarusian and Ukrainian. Donelaitis and his work are still awaiting new research and interpretation.