Juozas Grušas
Encyclopedia
Juozas Grušas was a Lithuania
n writer, editor, dramatist and playwright.
gymnasium, graduating in 1924.
From 1924 to 1931 he was a student at University of Lithuania (1930 renamed to Vytautas Magnus University), in the Theology-philosophy faculty. In 1928 he was elected as chairman of the student organization Šatrija. After graduating in 1930, he began teaching the Lithuanian language. In 1931, together with Balys Sruoga
, he co-founded the Lithuanian writers association; from 1937 to 1938 he was chairman of this organization. Grušas served as editor-in-chief of the Christian weekly newspaper Mūsų laikraštis (Our Newspaper) from 1928 to 1938. In 1935 he published a satirical novel, Karjeristai (The Careerists), which has been described as "one of the key works in the history of the Lithuanian novel".
From 1940 to 1941 he worked in the State publishing house as an editor of fiction. He fell ill in 1941, and lived with his in-laws in Joniškis
until 1949. In 1948 he was accepted into the Lithuanian SSR
writers association. After returning to Kaunas in 1949, he resumed writing, and over time became one of the most productive Lithuanian playwrights. His works have been translated into English, Polish
, Latvian
, and Estonian
.
Juozas Grušas was buried in Petrašiūnai Cemetery
. Juozas Grušas Secondary School (in Šilainiai elderate of Kaunas
) was named in his honour.
Dramas:
Most of his plays were produced in the Kaunas State Drama Theatre
.
Collected works:
In 1976 he was chosen as an "Honorary Lithuanian SSR artist"; in 1971 he received a "People's Writer" award.
His 1972 play Barbora Radvilaitė was selected as one of the Lithuanian plays of the century.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n writer, editor, dramatist and playwright.
Biography
Grušas' first inspirational teacher was the Lithuanian poet Jovaras, who taught him writing and spurred his interest in literature. In 1920 he enrolled at the ŠiauliaiŠiauliai
Šiauliai , is the fourth largest city in Lithuania, with a population of 133,900. It is the capital of Šiauliai County. Unofficially, the city is the capital of Northern Lithuania.-Names:...
gymnasium, graduating in 1924.
From 1924 to 1931 he was a student at University of Lithuania (1930 renamed to Vytautas Magnus University), in the Theology-philosophy faculty. In 1928 he was elected as chairman of the student organization Šatrija. After graduating in 1930, he began teaching the Lithuanian language. In 1931, together with Balys Sruoga
Balys Sruoga
Balys Sruoga was a Lithuanian poet, playwright, critic, and literary theorist.He contributed to cultural journals from his early youth...
, he co-founded the Lithuanian writers association; from 1937 to 1938 he was chairman of this organization. Grušas served as editor-in-chief of the Christian weekly newspaper Mūsų laikraštis (Our Newspaper) from 1928 to 1938. In 1935 he published a satirical novel, Karjeristai (The Careerists), which has been described as "one of the key works in the history of the Lithuanian novel".
From 1940 to 1941 he worked in the State publishing house as an editor of fiction. He fell ill in 1941, and lived with his in-laws in Joniškis
Joniškis
Joniškis is a city in northern Lithuania with a population of about 11,150. It is located 40 kilometers north of Šiauliai and 14 kilometers south of the Lithuania–Latvia border...
until 1949. In 1948 he was accepted into the Lithuanian SSR
Lithuanian SSR
The Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Lithuanian SSR, was one of the republics that made up the former Soviet Union...
writers association. After returning to Kaunas in 1949, he resumed writing, and over time became one of the most productive Lithuanian playwrights. His works have been translated into English, Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
, Latvian
Latvian language
Latvian is the official state language of Latvia. It is also sometimes referred to as Lettish. There are about 1.4 million native Latvian speakers in Latvia and about 150,000 abroad. The Latvian language has a relatively large number of non-native speakers, atypical for a small language...
, and Estonian
Estonian language
Estonian is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1.1 million people in Estonia and tens of thousands in various émigré communities...
.
Juozas Grušas was buried in Petrašiūnai Cemetery
Petrašiunai Cemetery
Petrašiūnai Cemetery is Lithuania's premiere last resting place formally designated for graves of people influential in national history, politics, arts, and science.- Location :...
. Juozas Grušas Secondary School (in Šilainiai elderate of Kaunas
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
) was named in his honour.
Important works
Books:- Ponia Bertulienė, 1925.
- Karjeristai (novel), 1935.
Dramas:
- Dūmai (Smalkės, 1956 m.),
- Herkus Mantas (1957 m.),
- Švitrigaila (1975 m.),
- Unija (1977 m.),
- Gintarinė vila (1979 m.),
- Meilė, džiazas ir velnias (1967 m.).
- Barbora Radvilaitė (1972)
Most of his plays were produced in the Kaunas State Drama Theatre
Kaunas State Drama Theatre
The Kaunas State Drama Theatre is the biggest theatre in Kaunas, and one of the oldest functioning theatres in Lithuania.-History :Its beginnings date to the 1920s, when the Lithuanian Artists' Association established drama and opera playhouses. The first play performed by the Kaunas Drama Theatre...
.
Collected works:
- Raštai, 5 volumes in 1981-1985
- Mykolas Glinskis, 1984
- Gyvų sienojų namai, 1986
Awards
He received awards for Herkus Mantas in 1957, and for Švitrigaila, Barbora Radvilaitė and Pijus nebuvo protingas in 1976.In 1976 he was chosen as an "Honorary Lithuanian SSR artist"; in 1971 he received a "People's Writer" award.
His 1972 play Barbora Radvilaitė was selected as one of the Lithuanian plays of the century.