These are works by famous world thinkers, original creations by Lithuanian authors, historical, philosophical, and educational books beloved by readers and reissued multiple times. Good news – readers are invited to get acquainted with and purchase them at publisher prices this weekend, September 18–20, at the Kaunas Book Fair.
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Books valued not by print run
Books published by the National Library encourage readers to gain a deeper understanding of the world and its phenomena; they are prepared based on reliable sources and professional insights.
Speaking about the integration of the Science and Encyclopaedia Publishing Centre into the Lithuanian National Library almost four years ago, General Director Aušrinė Žilinskienė notes that this change strengthened the library’s role as a national knowledge center.
“Publishing remains an important form of disseminating scientific and cultural research – about 30 publications see the light of day annually, covering documentary heritage, history, biographical research publications, and popular science works for the public. Today, the value of works by Lithuanian and foreign recognized scientists, philosophers, and historians that we publish is measured not by print runs but by their contribution to Lithuanian culture and science.
This is a very important mission of the Lithuanian National Library as a knowledge institution – not only to preserve knowledge but also to actively contribute to its creation and dissemination. We aim for intellectual content to be accessible to as wide a part of society as possible. Therefore, in recent years, we have paid special attention to inclusive publishing and the accessibility of publications: we have started publishing books certified with the “Accessible Publication” mark and books in easy-to-understand language,” says National Library Director A. Žilinskienė.
A series of philosophical books was started a few years ago. Thanks to this excellent initiative, Lithuanian readers get acquainted with the most interesting world philosophers and their works.
The head of MELC, Dr. Arturas Mickevičius, describes the philosophical book series as publications that become an important cultural event: “It would not be an exaggeration to say that our philosophical series books are like a bridge between the world academic community and Lithuanian readers. This summer, we published the book “A Short Metaphysics of Tsunamis” by French Professor Emeritus Jean-Pierre Dupuy about how we perceive disasters and why we fail to avoid them.
Recently, the book “The Great Mind: How Collective Intelligence Can Change Our World” by University College London Professor Geoff Mulgan was released, in which the author explores the combined ability of minds and technologies to overcome the most difficult problems. British historian Donald Bloxham’s book “Why History? History” promises the most interesting experience traveling through two and a half thousand years of the history of science and the development of historical thought. In these and other books by creative world thinkers, readers find reliable, verified knowledge. We publish them not for commercial success but because it is important for us to introduce the reading public to the most outstanding traditions of world thought and their representatives.”
About Greenland, the Renaissance in Italy, cultural history in Lithuania, and the question of God
Recently, the world fell silent for a moment upon hearing the word Greenland when US President Donald Trump made claims to this island. Another valuable news – for the first time in Lithuanian, Elizabeth Buchanan’s book “So You Want Greenland? Viking Lessons for Donald Trump” (translated from English by Elena Belskytė) was published. The book, which has attracted great interest worldwide, full of humor and interesting facts, will undoubtedly captivate readers.
As well as the autobiography of the famous 16th-century Italian humanist Girolamo Cardano, “The Book About His Life by Jerome Cardano, Milanese and Citizen of Bologna,” translated from Latin by Karolis Manfredas Lyvenas (publishing funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture, translation supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation). These memoirs lead directly to the Renaissance era and will be an excellent read for readers interested in memoir literature and ego-documentation.
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The trilogy “The Image of Lithuania from the Perspective of Its Civilization from the Earliest Times to the End of the 18th Century” by Juozapas Jaroševičius, dedicated to lovers of Lithuanian cultural history, was published for the first time and, like many books published by the National Library, became an important cultural event. Why does the modern world constantly try to avoid the question of God? Is the rejection of God progress or just its illusion? This discussion invites readers in the book “The Immortal Rumor: The Question of God and the Illusion of Modernity” by the famous German philosopher Robert Spaemann, asking what truly remains when previously understood answers suddenly collapse.
Meetings with historians Dr. Mindaugas Nefas and Dr. Gediminas Kasparavičius
In today’s society, facing a constant threat of war, the book “Vladas Putvinskis: Life and Selected Writings” compiled by historian Dr. Mindaugas Nefas is more relevant than ever (project partner Šiauliai “Aušra” Museum, publishing funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture). The book publishes the written legacy of the prominent Lithuanian public figure, founder of the Riflemen’s Union Vladas Putvinskis, preserved at the Šiauliai “Aušra” Museum.
For the first time, the first volume of Vladas Putvinskis’s writings, which was never published before 1940, is published, and his journalistic articles on political and social issues published in 1933 in the second volume of Putvinskis’s writings are reprinted. Members of the restored Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union will be proud to acquire and read this book. Its presentation event will take place on September 18 at 3 p.m. at the Kaunas Book Fair, “Žalgiris” Arena, LLA Hall. After the event, the book’s compiler will communicate with readers at the LNB stand (J1.6).
Readers have already come to like the book “City Under Water: The Great Kaunas Flood of 1946” by historian Dr. Gediminas Kasparavičius, who lives in Kaunas (publishing funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture). It presents the first detailed study and story about the greatest natural disaster in Lithuania in the 20th century. The book reveals episodes from the history of Kaunas and its surroundings in 1946, which brought much pain and trials to the residents of that time. The author will present the book on September 19 at 12 p.m. at the Kaunas Book Fair, “Žalgiris” Arena, LLA Hall. After the event, the author will communicate with readers at the LNB stand (J1.6).
On September 19 at 11 a.m., Dr. Daiva Janavičienė will also communicate with readers and present the book “Bibliotherapy Methodology Plus” (electronic book) at the LNB stand.
Books by Lithuanian authors beloved by readers
Among the most popular reissued books are “Old Lithuanian Family Customs” by Lithuanian ethnologist, professor Pranė Dundulienė, which has reached its fifth edition, and “Lithuanian History for Everyone,” whose authors are well-known historians Prof. Alfonsas Eidintas, Prof. Alfredas Bumblauskas, Prof. Antanas Kulakauskas, and Assoc. Prof. Mindaugas Tamošaitis.
The books, their authors, and publishers await curious readers who know a lot and want to learn even more – about Lithuania, Europe, and the world, where the book has become a good friend of a person.
See you September 18–20 at the Kaunas Book Fair, “Žalgiris” Arena (stand J1.6).
