Sigitas Parulskis

Sigitas Parulskis was born in Obeliai, a country village in North Lithuania that formerly had a considerable number of Jewish inhabitants. In his poetry, which is mainly in free verse, images from his childhood in the country frequently recur, although, in his attitude towards traditional rural life, issues that are often considered ‘sacred’ are for the most part de-mythologised, while what is considered ‘lesser’ is often made into the stuff of poetry. In addition, there are often references in his poetry to world literature and Antiquity, as can be seen in the poems ‘Poetic Interest’ and ‘Telemachus at Odysseus’ Grave’.

The content of Parulskis’ plays is often determined by symbolic situations that remind one of parables, imbued as they are with references to religion and theology. Furthermore, Parulskis is fascinated by death, as was clearly evident in his prize-winning collection of poetry, Concerning Death.

His experiences while serving in a parachute regiment of the Soviet Army in the GDR were also used as a point of departure in his best novel, Trys sekundės dangaus (Three Seconds of Heaven).

Parulskis studied Lithuanian language and literature at Vilnius University. He has worked with various prominent newspapers and journals, and is at present active as a lecturer in Creative Writing at Vilnius University. Publications

Iš ilgesio visa tai (1990)
Mirusiųjų (1994)
Mortui sepulti sint (1998);
50 eilėraščių (1999)
Dangaus durys dažytos (1999)
Nuogi drabužiai (2002);
Siužetą siūlau nušauti (2002)
Marmurinis šuo (2004)

[Sigitas Parulskis is to appear at the 2009 Poetry International Festival, Rotterdam. This text was written for this occasion.]