Vilnius Baroque in Poetry. An Evening of Poetry Readings with Poets Tomas Venclova and Aidas Marčėnas

“…on the semi-circular towers behind the non-Euclidean façade shone the Zodiac signs.”
(Tomas Venclova, poem “Počobutas Observatory”)
“…the sun sinks into Kotryna, and time / stops for a second.”
(Aidas Marčėnas, poem “Theme without Variations”)

Can a dialogue emerge between the poems of these two very different poets? Are the Vilnius Baroque and its reflections universal? How does Vilnius Baroque sound in contemporary poetry?

Those who want to hear answers to these and other intriguing questions, and to ask some themselves, are invited to meet on May 21 at 6:00 PM in the Event Space (3rd floor) of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania at the event “Vilnius Baroque in Poetry. An Evening of Poetry Readings with Poets Tomas Venclova and Aidas Marčėnas.”

The year 2025 has been declared the Year of Baroque Literature. One of the most prominent figures of Lithuania’s Baroque literary era was Motiejus Kazimieras Sarbievijus (1595–1640), a world-renowned poet, literary theorist, and preacher known as the “Horace of the Sarmatians,” the “Horace of Christians,” and the “Horace of Lithuania.” According to poet Tomas Venclova, Sarbievijus’ work combines ancient and biblical poetics, Stoicism and Christianity using typical Baroque methods. His poetry contains many Lithuanian place names, realities, and motifs, including images of Vilnius (Gediminas Castle, Lukiškės Hill…). The image of Vilnius as a Baroque city remains vivid to this day. Vilnius Baroque has inspired many writers. Today, the capital’s architecture, atmosphere, cultural recesses, and its multilayered architectural and urban character gain new nuances in poetry, encouraging reflection on contemporary relevant phenomena.

Two well-known Lithuanian poets, Tomas Venclova and Aidas Marčėnas, invite you to listen, feel, and discuss together how Vilnius Baroque resonates in contemporary literature. This will be a poetic dialogue between two poets from different generations about Vilnius Baroque. They will share their poems on the theme of Vilnius Baroque, comment on them, and present their views on Vilnius Baroque.

The poetry readings are part of the Poetry Spring events, making it symbolic that two laureates of Poetry Spring and many other awards—both residents who love Vilnius deeply and give the city a special place in their poetry—will meet at this event.

About the poets:
Aidas Marčėnas (b. 1960) – poet, essayist, critic. Debuted with the poetry collection “Šulinys” (The Well) in 1988. He has written more than 20 books of poetry and essays. In 2005, he was awarded the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Prize for combining classical values with modernity in his poetry books. Laureate of Poetry Spring (1994). He compiled the Lithuanian poetry anthology about Vilnius “From Vilnius to Vilnius” (2008). According to the poet, “those who have read my poems understand that Vilnius has had the most serious influence on my work” (2007 07 21).

Tomas Venclova (b. 1937) – poet, essayist, literary scholar, translator. Debuted with the poetry collection “Kalbos ženklas” (The Sign of Language) in 1972. Author of more than 30 books of poetry, essays, literary criticism, and other genres. Awarded the National Culture and Art Prize in 2000. Laureate of Poetry Spring (2017). Author of many books about Vilnius: “Vilnius: A Guide to the City” (2001, 2017), “Vilnius Names” (2006, 2017), “Vilnius: A Personal History” (2011), and others. According to the poet, “Gothic and Baroque interest me more than the Tudors” (2023 02 08).

Photos: Aidas Marčėnas by Julius Kalinskas, 15min.lt; Tomas Venclova by Audronius Žygavičius, Venclova Family Museum Archive.

You can find the full Poetry Spring program HERE.