Juozas Grušas facts for kids

Juozas Grušas (born November 16, 1901, in Žadžiūnai-Kalniškiai, Kovno Governorate; died May 21, 1986, in Kaunas) was an important Lithuanian writer, editor, and a person who wrote plays for the theater.

Biography

Early Life and Education

Juozas Grušas was born in 1901. When he was young, a Lithuanian poet named Jovaras taught him how to write. Jovaras helped Juozas become very interested in books and stories.

In 1920, Juozas started studying at the Šiauliai Gymnasium, which is like a high school. He finished there in 1924.

From 1924 to 1931, he studied at the University of Lithuania. This university later changed its name to Vytautas Magnus University. He studied theology and philosophy. In 1928, his fellow students chose him to lead their student group called Šatrija.

A Career in Writing

After finishing university in 1930, Juozas Grušas began teaching the Lithuanian language. In 1931, he helped start the Lithuanian writers association with another writer, Balys Sruoga. He even led this group from 1937 to 1938.

From 1928 to 1938, Juozas Grušas was the main editor for a Christian newspaper called Mūsų laikraštis, which means Our Newspaper. In 1935, he published a funny novel called Karjeristai (The Careerists). People say this book is one of the most important Lithuanian novels ever written.

Juozas Grušas was very interested in the history of Lithuania and the Baltic region. Because of this, many of his plays were about famous people from the past.

From 1940 to 1941, he worked as an editor for a government publishing house. He became sick in 1941 and lived with his wife's family in Joniškis until 1949. In 1948, he joined the writers association of the Lithuanian SSR.

After returning to Kaunas in 1949, he started writing again. Over time, he became one of the most active playwrights in Lithuania. His plays and books have been translated into many languages, including English, Polish, Latvian, and Estonian.

Juozas Grušas passed away in 1986 and was buried in Petrašiūnai Cemetery. A school in Kaunas, called Juozas Grušas Secondary School, was named in his honor.

What He Wrote

Juozas Grušas wrote many different kinds of works. Here are some of his most important ones:

Books:

• Ponia Bertulienė, 1925
• Karjeristai (a novel), 1935

Plays (Dramas):

• Dūmai (also known as Smalkės, 1956)
• Herkus Mantas (1957)
• Švitrigaila (1975)
• Unija (1977)
• Gintarinė vila (1979)
• Meilė, džiazas ir velnias (1967)
• Barbora Radvilaitė (1972)

Most of his plays were performed at the Kaunas State Drama Theatre.

Collected Works:

• Raštai, 5 volumes, published between 1981 and 1985
• Mykolas Glinskis, 1984
• Gyvų sienojų namai, 1986

Awards and Recognition

Juozas Grušas received several awards for his writing:

• He won awards for his play Herkus Mantas in 1957.
• In 1976, he received awards for his plays Švitrigaila, Barbora Radvilaitė, and Pijus nebuvo protingas.

He was also recognized with special titles:

• In 1976, he was named an "Honorary Lithuanian SSR artist."
• In 1971, he received the "People's Writer" award.

His play Barbora Radvilaitė, written in 1972, was chosen as one of the best Lithuanian plays of the entire century.