In 1955 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Adam Mickiewicz’ (1798-1855) death the former Vilnius Public Library was given the name of this famous poet.
Adam Mickiewicz is the most prominent figure in the Central European literature, a poet of genius, closely connected with Lithuania by his origin, life and creation. As other Polish romanticists he declared to be Lithuanian by origin and Polish by nationality (“gente lithuanus, natione polonus”).
The poet praised the Lithuanian past in his works, he was proud of its history as if it were his native country. Lithuanian plots of poet’s works strengthened the civil conscience of Lithuanians.
Adam Mickiewicz spent nine years of his life in Lithuania. He lived in Vilnius, Kaunas and visited many other places of Lithuania.
Giving the name of Adam Mickiewicz to the Library became a stimulus to start wide activity of Mickiewicziana...
