Monument to Kristijonas Donelaitis

Kristijonas Donelaitis (1714-1780) – the first great Lithuanian poet, who in his poem „The Seasons“ depicted life of Lithuania Minor‘s serfs – Boers, disclosed their human beauty, demonstrated the value of the Lithuanian language.    

In 1973 Klaipėda, in the largest of the former Lithuania Minor cities, there was built monument to Kristijonas Donelaitis. Sculptor V. Mačiuika assessed the work of sculptor P. Deltuva in such way (architect P. Šadauskas): „Architectural solution of monument is interesting: in the centre of Donelaičio square a granite column of five-meter-high, shaped from large planes, was risen, on the top of which the poet‘s head is embossed. One gets the whole figure illusion. This is in principle a new word composing monumental busts. The traditional connection – bust-pedestal – here is abandoned. The organic connection exists between the portrait and the pedestal, providing an impression of solid composition. Polished granite surface catches the light well at any time, even during overcast days“. On the side – line of „The Seasons“: “Sveikas, svieteli margs!” („Hi, varied world!“).