Kristijonas Donelaitis

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Donelaitis on a 1994 Lithuanian stamp

Kristijonas Donelaitis (

Lutheran pastor. He lived and worked in Lithuania Minor, a territory in the Kingdom of Prussia, that had a sizable Lithuanian-speaking minority. He wrote the first classic Lithuanian language poem, The Seasons (Lithuanian: Metai), which became one of the principal works of Lithuanian poetry.[3] The poem, a classic work of Lithuanian literature, depicts everyday life of Lithuanian peasants, their struggle with serfdom, and the annual cycle of life.[4]

Biography

Early life

Donelaitis was born at

Gumbinnen, Prussia. His parents were free peasants who owned the land that they cultivated. His father died in 1720, leaving seven children (four sons and three daughters). One of his three brothers, Friedrich, became a goldsmith in Königsberg. Another brother, Michael, inherited the father's farm. His third brother, Adam, became a blacksmith and innkeeper.[5]

In 1731, Donelaitis began attending the cathedral school in

Tollmingkehmen.[5]

Life in Tollmingkehmen

Inside the former Lutheran church of Tollmingkehmen, built by Donelaitis. In 1964, it was transformed into a memorial museum of Donelaitis.

Donelaitis lived in Tollmingkehmen from 1743 until his death in 1780. At the time, the parish of Tollmingkehmen had around 30 villages with around 3,000 residents.

Tollmingkehmen, East Prussia
.

Works

The original first page of Spring Joys, which is considered the beginning of The Seasons

None of Donelaitis's works were published during his lifetime. Donelaitis wrote at least three poems in the German language (An der Amstrath Donalitius nach dem Verlust seiner Gattin, Der Gott der Finsterniss, and Unschuld sei mein ganzes Leben).[5] His Lithuanian works consist of six fables and the poem The Seasons. Donelaitis's publisher, Ludwig Rhesa, believed that the fables, based on Aesop's Fables, were written for his students in Stallupönen.[5] Their language and poetic rhythm are not as well-developed as in his later works.[6]

His major work, The Seasons, was titled by Rheza. It consisted of four

Georg H. F. Nesselmann, who prepared an edition in 1869.[5]

Legacy

Donelaitis and his works are considered to be an important part of Lithuanian culture, which also led to creation of literature and music works based on Donelaitis's life and his poem The Seasons. At the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1985, an opera Kristijonas by Algimantas Bražinskas was performed.[7][8] In 2012, an oratorio Seasons by Bronius Kutavičius was performed.[9]

References

  1. ISBN 9780810875364
    .
  2. ISBN 0415267315
    .
  3. ISBN 0-520-08228-1
    .
  4. ISBN 0-313-33125-1
    .
  5. ^
    LCCN 37032253
    .
  6. ^
    LCCN 74-114275
    .
  7. ^ Composer - A. Bražinskas. Libretto - A. Drilinga. Conductor - V. Viržonis, director - R. Siparis, scenography - A. Kariniauskas. Artists - V. Prudnikovas, B. Almonaitytė, S. Dirsė, S. Larinas, A. Lietuvninkas, G. Pamakštys et al. (1 January 1987). A. Bražinskas. Opera "Kristijonas" (I - II veiksmai) (Video) (in Lithuanian). theatre choir and orchestra. LRT. Retrieved 11 May 2018.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ "Algimantas Bražinskas. KRISTIJONAS" (in Lithuanian). Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  9. ^ B. Kutavičius. Oratorio Seasons following Kristijonas Donelaitis (for the first time whole oratorio performed). Performers: chamber choir Jauna muzika, The Vilnius City Municipality St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra. Reciter - D. Meškauskas, Conductor D. Katkus (1 January 2012). B. Kutavičius. Oratorija "Metai" (Video) (in Lithuanian). LRT. Retrieved 11 May 2018.

External links

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