Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas

05/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/20/2026 11:29

Pirmoji ponia gestų kalbos literatūros ir meno vakare: lietuvių gestų kalbos poezija ir literatūra – visavertė kultūros dalis

The Presidential Palace hosted an evening of Lithuanian sign language literature and art, "I live and feel through gestures. Between horizons," initiated and sponsored by First Lady Diana Nausėdienė. The evening, which has been held for the third year, has become a significant tradition of the program of the international festival "Spring of Poetry."

Welcoming the participants of the event, the First Lady emphasized that this evening is dedicated not only to the talent and creativity of Lithuanian sign language creators, but also to the ability of society to see, hear, and accept various forms of cultural expression.

"We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the freedom and right to create in Lithuanian sign language. The goal of the Presidency is to encourage everyone to experience the gift of learning about special creations, to speak out about the right of sign language creators to uniquely spread the diverse power of poetry and to expand the boundaries of our perception. And most importantly, to get to know what is born in the silent word, movement, gaze, rhythm, silence and light," said the First Lady.

D. Nausėdienė also emphasized the attention of the Presidency to the dissemination of Lithuanian sign language and the importance of creative diversity for the future of the state.

"This work is a full-fledged part of culture. It is a living artistic language, authentic in its aesthetics, unique in its metaphors, with its own rhythm, deep dramaturgy and an official history of three years. We must do everything to ensure that Lithuanian sign language poetry and literature are visible, emerge from the periphery, are not an exception, not an alternative, but shine as a sign of cultural fullness and a strong, mature state," said the First Lady.

The First Lady also emphasized the importance of equal opportunities in the field of culture. According to D. Nausėdienė, equal opportunities do not begin with formal words. They begin when society recognizes the right of every person to create, to be seen and understood in their own language. When the cultural scene becomes open to diverse experiences and different ways of seeing the world.

The First Lady thanked the evening's creator, Anželika Terese, the organizers of the "Spring of Poetry" festival, Lithuanian sign language creators, and the community for their consistent work in nurturing the art of sign language and creating a more open cultural space for all.

"The largest and oldest poetry festival in Europe, which has been nurturing tradition for decades, today not only opens its doors to creators of Lithuanian sign language - it sends a very important message to all societies in the world. The message that culture belongs to everyone. That there are no 'smaller' languages ​​in the world of poetry," said D. Nausėdienė.

This year's evening theme - "I live and feel through gestures. Between horizons" - invited reflection on the human connection with the world and others, themes of closeness and distance, differences and togetherness. The event, held in the White Hall of the Presidential Palace, featured pioneers of Lithuanian sign language literature, long-time creators, and artists of the younger generation, who continue and modernly interpret the tradition of sign language poetry.

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Presidential Communications Group
Information updated 2026.05.20 20:12

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Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas published this content on May 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 20, 2026 at 17:29 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]