Lithuanian literature

Vernacular writing dates from the 16th century but the secular literary tradition begins with the nature poetry of Kristijonas Donelaitis (1714–1780) and folk-song collections in the 18th century. Nineteenth-century romantic nationalism and oppression created a wider audience for patriotic verse and short stories. The banned journal Aušra/Dawn 1883–86 gave its name to a generation of patriotic writers, including the lyric and dramatic poet Jonas Mačiulis (Maironis) (1862–1932). Though Soviet occupation drove many writers into exile, the novelist and dramatist Vincas Krēvē (1882–1954) and the poet Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas (1893–1967) have emerged as major national writers.