Iuozas Ionovich Lingis

(Juozas Lingys). Born Jan. 1, 1919, in Gyliŝ kiai, Šakiai Raion, Lithuanian SSR. Soviet ballet dancer and choreographer. People’s Artist of the USSR (1970).

In 1941, Lingis became a dancer with the Lietuva Honored State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of the Lithuanian SSR. In 1946 he became choreographer of the ensemble, whose repertoire includes the dances of the fraternal republics and socialist countries. His special contribution lies in gathering, studying, and bringing to the stage Lithuanian folk dancing traditions. Lingis re-creates native folk rituals and stages little scenes from everyday life. As a choreographer he has succeeded in preserving the national poetic atmosphere and in introducing the dynamics of modern life, which is reflected in the accelerated rhythms, the joyous images, and the distinctive fluidity of the choreographic dance patterns. His best productions include Sadutę, Pakeltkojis, The Rooster, Rugēliai, Džgūņas, and Rusnėtis.

With the ensemble, Lingis has toured the German Democratic Republic, the Polish People’s Republic, the Socialist Republic of Rumania, the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, Belgium, Finland, and the countries of Latin America. Since 1967 he has been doing scholarly work and teaching in the choreographic section of the cultural-educational department of the Vilnius Pedagogical Institute. A recipient of the State Prize of the USSR (1950, 1970), Lingis has been awarded two orders and various medals.