Lietuvos istorijos institutas

The paper is devoted to a discussion of Lithuanian elements in lyrics written by Franciszek Dionizy Kniaźnin (1750–1807), a poet, playwright and translator from the Grand uchy of Lithuania. Considered one of the most distinguished poets of the Enlightenment, Kniaźnin occupied himself in the last stage of his work with editing writings he had finished earlier, which he included, together with completely new poems, in a previously unpublished autograph entitled Poezyje Franciszka Dionizego Kniaźnina ręką własną pisane, which constituted his literary swansong. In the lyrics included, there appear various references to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. These are, among others, allusions to contemporary and past events, and to famous historical figures. In the manuscript, the poet also included a poem entitled Do Litwy, as well as writings dedicated to people connected with the Grand Duchy. The aim of the paper is to indicate and discuss these references, and to attempt to determine the literary image of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania that arises from the manuscript by the poet from Puławy.