Petras Vaičiūnas (born 11-07-1890) is a Lithuanian writer, theatre actor, translator.
In 1914-1918 the playwright studied at the Petrograd Psychoneurological Institute and Petrograd University. In 1918-1919 he collaborated with the J. Vaičkaus troupe, for which he wrote his first plays. After the Second World War he became a member of the board of the Writers’ Union.
His early poetry is characterised by folklorism and symbolism, motifs of the joy of life and the beauty of nature. His later poems, on the other hand, are dominated by traditional poetics, themes of nature, love, work and homeland.
The writer also wrote more than 20 dramas, based on current affairs of the day, characterised by witty dialogue, dynamism, intrigue, emotionality and sometimes melodrama.
In 1937, Petras Vaičiūnas was awarded the Order of the Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania, 3rd degree.
Information prepared by Neringa Rudgalvytė, curator of the collection of the Lithuanian Museum of Education
