is associate professor of philosophy at the Vilnius Pedagogical University, where he also directs a writing project. He graduated from Vilnius University with a diploma in psychology and philosophy, and earned the Ph.D. in philosophy in 1993. He holds a diploma for postgraduate studies in history and the philosophy of art from the Central European University of Prague. The author of five books of poetry, his works have enjoyed wide distribution: Zalias Paukistis ("The Green Bird", 1984) had a run of 30,000 copies), 20,000 copies of Rugsejo Zvaigzoe ("The Star of September"); and 25,000 copies of Naktis ("Night"). At least forty pop songs have been set to music from his texts. He writes for adults as well as children, and has taken part in the country-wide "Poetry Spring" Festival since 1982. Dr. Degesys is at the IWP through a grant from the US Information Agency.