THE
400TH ANIVERSARY
OF MIKALOJUS DAUKSA'S POSTILE
The light of some people's work shines out from the depths of the ages. It lays the
foundation for and determines our thoughts, values, and the roads we choose to take.
Mikalojus Dauksa is one of these spiritual and cultural workers known throughout all
of Lithuania. In Samogitia he is often mentioned in the same sentence as Merkelis
Giedraitis, Motiejus Strijkovskis, and others.
In centuries past, service to the [Roman Catholic] Church, nation, and native language (today a rarity in unadulterated form) was part of every Lithuanian philosopher, writer, and linguist's life and work. Keeping in mind that over the ages humanist ideas ring the loudest and most deeply touch human consciousness, Dauksa rises to the top. His words became the basis for the consolidation of the Lithuanian language and nation. He formed and forms our understanding of a citizenship based on love and respect for the language of one's parents.
"Language is the common bond of love, the mother of unity, the father of citizenship, the guardian of statehood." These words of Dauksa, which fast every Lithuanian can recite, are our civil constitution. To use this constitution to color anew, more broadly and completely, our existence on this earth "is the goal and assignment of this day's enlightened citizen, teacher, university community, and civil servant."