Judita Vaičiūnaitė (1937–2001) was one of Lithuania’s leading poets of the second half of the twentieth century and one of the first real city poets. Her work explores history, mythology, and city life from the perspective of a modern woman. She published over twenty books of poetry, as well as translations of poetry, poetry books for children, and plays. She worked as an editor for several leading literary journals in Lithuania. Her poetry has been translated into English, German, Russian, and other languages, and garnered numerous prizes, including the Lithuanian Writer’s Union Prize in 2000, and the national award of the Gediminas Cross in 1997. (updated 10/2015)