When a child runs towards a book, that’s when Martynas Burneika knows his work has meaning

Meet Martynas Burneika, Export Manager at Flintas Publishing. From an unexpected career shift to building international partnerships, his story is driven by curiosity, creativity, and a passion for connecting people with books.

Martynas joined Flintas Publishing recently, but his journey in publishing spans over a decade. After studying Multimedia and Internet Technologies and working as a 3D modeller and IT engineer, he took a surprising turn into publishing – a path that ultimately led him to Flintas.

A lifelong reader, Martynas was especially drawn to history at school and read around 50 books a year as a teenager. The first book he remembers borrowing was “Lithuania Through the Ages” by A. Šapoka. Today, his interests span graphic novels, cinematography, music, and art. For him, creativity is more than interest – it’s a form of therapy.

Working internationally, he speaks Lithuanian and English fluently and understands Spanish and Italian. His daily work revolves around connecting people across cultures – whether at book fairs in Bologna and Frankfurt or through ongoing collaboration with partners across Europe.

For Martynas, the most rewarding moments are simple:

seeing readers – especially children – react with genuine excitement to books he helped bring to life.

What attracts you most to the publishing world?

 The best part? You don’t have to invent meaning – you see it instantly.

A child picks up a book. Smiles. Gets excited. Sometimes they run towards it. That moment gives your work purpose.

At Flintas Publishing, I also enjoy connecting with people from completely different cultures. Every day is a chance to understand someone new. At book fairs especially, you can feel this energy – people, ideas, stories from everywhere. Even through emails or calls, you’re still building something real.

For me, that human connection is what makes this work meaningful.

What role do books play in today’s world?

Books shape us – especially at a young age.

They are just as important for adults, not only through adult literature but also through children’s books we share with our kids. Children’s literature keeps imagination alive – not just for them, but for us too.

One recent book that left a strong impression on me is “Beloved Bones” by Kotryna Zylė. It beautifully blends Lithuanian traditions with modern life, weaving mythology into contemporary reality. It’s not a world everyone easily accepts, but for me, it’s incredibly unique and powerful.

Does travelling play an important role in your work?

Absolutely.

Travel is not just about places – it’s about people.

To truly build relationships, you need to meet in person. You have to see how different markets live and breathe. You have to go there, see it, feel it.

From Bologna to Frankfurt, and across the Baltic and Nordic regions, these trips build trust. And in this field, trust is everything.

Is there a personal mission that drives you?

Lithuanian history has something very powerful – the book smugglers, knygnešiai.

They risked everything to preserve language and ensure people could read. That legacy matters.

It reminds us that publishing is not just a business. It’s about protecting language, sharing knowledge, and nurturing imagination.

Being part of that, even in a small way, gives my work deeper meaning.

What does the international aspect of your role mean to you?

For me, it’s simple – books should reach everyone.

Not only in Lithuania, but across the world. Stories, knowledge, creativity – they shouldn’t be limited by language or borders.

Whether it’s a story that brings joy or an activity book that helps a child learn essential skills, every book has value. Helping those books travel further is what makes my role meaningful.

How would you describe working at Flintas Publishing?

It’s dynamic, fast-paced, and genuinely enjoyable.

Time flies. Everything moves quickly, but with purpose. There’s a strong sense of teamwork – you really feel it.

Sometimes it feels like being on a plane: everything is moving fast, but in a coordinated and exciting way.

And that energy makes you want to keep going.