The 2024 Poetry Day in Pompidou will honor Lithuanian poet Jonas Mekas

The 2024 Poetry Day, organized by the Georges Pompidou National Center for Art and Culture in Paris, will honor Lithuanian diaspora poet and avant-garde filmmaker Jonas Mekas, who died in 2019.

The event, set for Sept. 15, 2024, will feature a series of events dedicated to Mekas’ work, including those held during the “Lithuanian Season in France 2024” program.

Jonas Mekas, a pioneer of poetic cinema, expanded the concept of poetry through his work. To honor him, Poetry Day events will include readings, film screenings, and performances. In Lithuania, the main event, organized by the Contemporary Art Center and the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, will feature Mekas’ final film, “Requiem,” accompanied by a live performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem.” Details are available on the ŠMC website.

The Georges Pompidou National Center for Art and Culture has organized Poetry Day for several years, exploring new ways to present poetry. Past honorees include John Giorno (2020), Charles Baudelaire (2021), and Patti Smith (2022).

Photo: A. Sutkus

As reported earlier, the Chytomo editorial team has launched “Lithuanian Accent,” a project showcasing Lithuanian literature, publishing, and culture, with support from the Lithuanian Culture Institute. The project aims to introduce Ukrainian readers to the best of Lithuanian culture and share relatable stories.

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn, Terra Friedman King

Cover photo: Ben Hassett