| Abstract [eng] |
The research of religious lyrics in Lithuania began to emerge together with the rise of the independence of Lithuania. Until then, in the pages of literature history, the only place where religious lyrics were publicly available and discussed about was in exodus. The main representatives of Lithuanian religious lyrics in exodus are considered to be B. Brazdžionis, K. Bradūnas, A. Maceina and others. When one analyses these great poets, it is often a case that another name emerges to the surface: Leonardas Andriekus, who was a poet, a Franciscan priest, an editor of Aidai, a chairman of Lithuanian Writers Association, an author of eight poetry books. Nevertheless, it is only on a rare occasions, when his life and work receives some attention. The subject of this thesis is: Leonardas Andriekus as a Person, Poet, Cultural Activist. The aim of this work is to reveal his personality uniqueness and the main aspects of his poetry works. Other goals are to introduce with the historical and cultural environment which was shaping his personality; to show his contribution towards Lithuanian exodus press and cultural movement; to review the main features of modern Lithuanian lyrics; to reveal Franciscan view of life, a relationship between God and a person, an influence of the Holy Script, connection between Christianity and paganism in L. Andriekus poetry works. L. Andriekus had very close relationships with many (today well known) writers and clerisy such as: A. Nyka-Nyliūnas, A. Vaičiulaitis, H. Nagys and others. He especially cherished his friendship with J. Aistis and A. Galdikas. For this everlasting relationship with the best Lithuanian poets who lived in exodus and for his valuable input towards Lithuanian press and culture, L. Andriekus has to receive a very high stand in the history of Lithuanian literature. Whereas the most active period as a poet and cultural activist started when L. Andriekus arrived to the USA, the main analysis of his life in this thesis starts from 1946, when he settled down in Brooklyn. Also, since the date of L. Andriekus 100th birthday anniversary is approaching (15th of July 2014), there has been an increased activity in the media which publishes his never-before-seen poetry works. In this work, little known archive, with L. Andriekus poetry and other documents, which is held in the Franciscan monastery close to the Hill of Crosses (Šiauliai, Lithuania), remembrance of Franciscan monks and various literature criticism have been analyzed. |
