Lithuanian theatre in transition: names and generations. Introduction

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Lietuvos teatras; Lietuvos teatrai; Šiuolaikinis teatras; Menininkai; Režisieriai; Aktoriai; Pastatymai; Spektakliai; Lithuanian theater; Lithuanian theaters; Contemporary theatre; Artists; Directors; Actors; Production; Performances.

ENAlthough theatre in Lithuania cannot match the popularity of basketball, often called the country's second religion, it still occupies a very prominentplace in the cultural life of its people. It could even be said that, with a population of only about three million, Lithuania has more internationally acclaimed actors and directors per head than any other country in the world. The entire history of the professional Lithuanian theatre (which began only in 1920) is related with the names of famous directing personalities. It is the history of the interaction and changes of individual theatre models representing the aesthetic attitude of each director s personality. Theatre in Lithuania has been greatly influenced by two main factors: the need to preserve the nations identity, language and cultural traditions, and the aim of absorbing the innovations of twentieth-century European theatre. Modern Lithuanian theatre, like culture in general, was formed at a crossroads of various cultural influences from both the East and the West, and strove to find its own identity. Most postwar Lithuanian directors learned their profession at major Russian drama schools. At the same time, however, they were influenced by the new ideas of European theatre, and by European culture in general. [Extract, p. 9]