Vincas Kudirka is the ideologist of the Lithuanian National Revival Movement (the end of the 19^th – beginning of the 20^th centuries), the inspirer and nurturer of the Varpininkai movement (i.e. the editors, contributors, publishers, supporters and distributors of the Lithuanian newspaper Varpas (Eng. The Bell)), and the creator of the National Song, which subsequently became the anthem of the state of Lithuania. He is also one of the most important founders of the illegal association of Lithuanian students in Warsaw Lietuva established in 1888. In 1889, Vincas Kudirka started publishing a literary, political and scientific monthly newspaper Varpas and worked intermittently as an editor of the newspaper until his death. He is also a writer and the most famous Lithuanian translator of the end of the 19^th century. Kudirka wrote prose and poetry, publicistic and critical articles, collected folklore, and composed music. He was also one of the founding fathers of Lithuanian dramaturgy and theatre.

Vincas Kudirka was born in Paezeriai village, Vilkaviskis district on December 31, 1858. He studied at Paezeriai Elementary School and entered Marijample Gymnasium in 1871. After six years in gymnasium, his father persuaded him to go to Seinai and to enter Seinai Priest Seminary, from which Kudirka was expelled due to lack of dedication in 1879. Having lost the material support of his parents, he completed Marijampole Gymnasium at his own expense in 1881 and entered Warsaw University, the Faculty of History and Philology. After one year, Kudirka changed his mind and immersed in studies at the Faculty of Medicine.

In 1883, encouraged by the ideas of the monthly Ausra (Eng. Dawn) while still being a student, he got involved actively in the National Revival Movement. In 1885, the Ausra published the first Lithuanian work by Kudirka, i.e. a satirical poem Del ko zydai nevalgo kiaulienos? (Eng. Why Don’t Jews Eat Pork?). During the same year, Vincas Kudirka was arrested, imprisoned and expelled from university for the transcriptions of socialist literature and the links with the secret “Proletarian” organisation. However, following two years he was admitted to university once again. In 1888, Kudirka together with his peers established the society Lietuva in Warsaw, which began publishing the Varpas in 1889. From 1890, upon the initiative of Vincas Kudirka, the monthly Ukininkas (Eng. Farmer) was also being published alongside with the Varpas. At the end of his life, the poet took over the editing of the Varpas completely.

In 1890, Vincas Kudirka returned to Lithuania and worked as a physician in Sakiai until 1894. At that time he was already ill with a lethal disease – tuberculosis. During 1894-1897, he underwent regular treatments in Crimea and at the Adriatic seaside. In 1895, Kudirka was arrested for his Lithuanian activities; however, he was soon released due to his poor health.

From 1897, Vincas Kudirka lived in Naumiestis, Sakiai district. Although constantly persecuted by gendarmes, he never neglected his national patriotic activities. Here in Naumiestis he wrote his National Song and composed music to it. The song was published in the sixth edition of the Varpas in 1898.

Vincas Kudirka died in Naumiestis, on November 16, 1899 and was buried here. In 1934, the monument was erected in Naumiestis in commemoration of the poet and the town was renamed to Kudirkos Naumiestis. In 1998, the current Vincas Kudirka Museum was constructed.