Until the reorganization of the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Language into two institutes in 1990, Jonas Lankutis (1980-1984) and Vytautas Galinis (1985-1989) served as the chairs of the Department of Contemporary Lithuanian Literature. Later, Vytautas Kubilius (1989-1997) took over. He revived the department and recruited all staff members to work on Lietuvių literatūros enciklopedija [Lithuanian Encyclopedia of Lithuanian Literature]. He was succeeded by Jūratė Sprindytė (1997-2008), Solveiga Daugirdaitė (2008-2013), Loreta Jakonytė (2014) and Donata Mitaitė (2015-2019). From 2020, Aušra Jurgutienė has been serving as the chair of the department.

 

The researchers at the department analyze the late 20th- and early 21st-century Lithuanian literature, its turning points and transformations. The strategic direction is the literature of the Soviet era. The research and analysis of this topic was the focus of the Soviet Literature Seminars held in 2008-2015 (for more information, see: here and here). Three fundamental collective studies on Soviet literature have been published, the most significant being the historical encyclopedia, Sovietmečio lietuvių literatūra: Reiškiniai ir sąvokos [Lithuanian Literature of the Soviet Era: Phenomena and  Concepts, 2019].

 

The department’s researchers write individual monographs and studies on emerging Lithuanian writers in Lithuania and diaspora, literary relations, and more general theoretical issues in literature. They publish their work in the Institute’s book series, such as Naujosios literatūros studijos [New Literary Studies], In brevi and Gyvoji poezija [Live Poetry]. The department organizes international conferences and conferences dedicated to Lithuanian writers. It has also been developing relations with literary scholars in Europe, especially in the Baltic States, Latvia and Estonia. It publishes the bi-annual periodical Collloquia (issue No. 50 came out recently).

 

The department’s researchers pay a great deal of attention to the analysis of contemporary literary processes. They organize an annual discussion of recent books, during which the twelve best books are selected and later a laureate is chosen by a jury. They actively participate in country’s literary life, such as literary festivals, events and international book fairs. 

 

The scholars also carry out cultural and educational work. They publish articles on topical issues of contemporary literature, write reviews, give public lectures, and participate in the media. The department has introduced three awards: the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore Prize for the most creative book of the year by a Lithuanian author, the Vytautas Kubilius Prize for the best literary scholarship and critical articles, and the Algis Kalėda Prize for researchers in comparative studies. 

 

The long-term research program “Literature as a Witness of Sociality: Aesthetics, Memory, and Mentality in the Late Soviet Era-Early 21st Century” (headed by Dr. Solveiga Daugirdaitė) that was implemented from 2017 ended in 2021. The collective research study “Sociality and Aesthetic Expression of Late Soviet Literature” (compiled by Dr. Rimantas Kmita) will be published soon. The department has been implementing a new long-term research program “Transformations of 20th- and 21st-Century Lithuanian Literature: Canon, Poetics and Contexts” (headed by Dr. Solveiga Daugirdaitė, 2022-2026). The concept of a new collective publication is under consideration.

 

Currently, the department has thirteen researchers and three Ph.D. students.