The Righteous Among the Nations designation was granted to Kazys Binkis in 1988 for his actions during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania. Beyond this humanitarian recognition, he served as a central figure in Lithuanian literature, spearheading the local futurist movement during the early twentieth century while maintaining a career as a versatile journalist and dramatist.
Early Education and Career Beginnings
Born in 1893 in the village of Gudeliai, Binkis attended primary school at Papilys until 1908. His early academic path included courses at the Saulė institution and the Biržai progymnasium. In 1910, he enrolled in a school of agriculture near Švenčionys but relocated to Vilnius in 1913 to pursue private studies. By 1915, he had completed teacher training, subsequently serving in Papilys. His professional life shifted toward administration in 1918 when he was elected chairman of the Biržai District Council. By 1919, he held a secretarial role at the Vilnius journal Liepsna before moving to Kaunas to join a press bureau.
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Binkis published his initial prose and verse as early as 1909 in publications like Viltis and Vaivorykštė. His literary profile grew significantly after 1920 when he began studying philosophy and literature at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. During this period, he became the leader of the Keturi vėjai literary movement, which introduced futurist styles to the Lithuanian canon. He authored collections such as Eilėraščiai in 1920 and the futurist work 100 Pavasarių, which saw publication in 1923. In addition to poetry, he worked extensively as a journalist and edited anthologies of traditional folk songs.
Satire and Dramaturgy
Between 1927 and 1931, Binkis focused on humorous poetry, releasing works including Tamošius Bekepuris ir kitos Alijošiaus dainuškos in 1928. In 1938, he entered the field of theater with the play Atžalynas. He later began work on a more ambitious drama titled Generalinė repeticija. Although he did not complete this play during his lifetime, it eventually reached the stage in 1948 at the Hanau camp and was later published in 1958. His contributions to the literary community included active participation on the board of the Society of Lithuanian Writers.
Legacy and Humanitarian Efforts
During the Nazi occupation, Binkis and his wife, Sofia, hid Jewish individuals in their home, an effort for which they were collectively recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. Binkis died on 27 April 1942 in Kaunas and was laid to rest at the Petrašiūnai Cemetery. Posthumously, his work continued to influence Lithuanian letters, with several of his texts, including the later published Tailor Motiejus, receiving recognition well after his death.
Fast facts
- Born: 1893, Gudeliai
- Died: 27 April 1942, Kaunas
- Education: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Primary Occupations: Poet, journalist, dramaturge
- Literary Movement: Keturi vėjai
- Burial Site: Petrašiūnai Cemetery
- Award: Righteous Among the Nations (1988)
Questions readers ask
What was the Keturi vėjai movement?
It was a Lithuanian literary movement led by Binkis between 1922 and 1928, which introduced modernist and futurist elements into local poetry.
Why was Kazys Binkis recognized by Yad Vashem?
He and his wife, Sofia, were awarded the status of Righteous Among the Nations for hiding Jewish people in their home during the Nazi occupation.
Achievements
- Righteous Among the Nations — 1988
- Worked as poet, journalist and writer
- Educated at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin