Announcement of the evaluation committee of candidates for the Gabriele Petkevičaitė-Bitė Medal “Serve Lithuania”: “Honoured Lithuanian luminaries”

March 18 Gabriele Petkevičaitė-Bitė commemorative medals “Serve Lithuania” were presented to the laureates at Panevėžys Cultural Center. The medal is awarded in order to encourage Lithuanian society to work for the benefit of the state and its well-being, to express and implement positive ideas that mature the society’s citizenship, national self-awareness and cultural awareness. This is an incentive given for social activities, benevolent works.

in 2024 Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė’s memorial medals “Serve Lithuania” were presented by Speaker of the Seimas Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen.

Antanas A. Jonynas, deputy chairman of the evaluation commission for candidates for the Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė medal “Serve Lithuania”, gave a welcome speech.

The Panevėžys Musical Theater Wind Orchestra “Garsas” started the event with a musical chord.

Actor Albinas Kēleris introduced the laureates.

Winners of the 2024 Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė memorial medals “Serve Lithuania” (screenplay author Vitalija Vasiliauskaitė):

for fostering the traditions of parliamentarism, promoting citizenship and democracy:

BEAUTIFUL ŽUKAUSKIENĖ

“Mažeikiai district municipal clerk, who chose a different path to serve the public: she has been traveling to Siberia for more than 20 years, where she visited more than 400 places of exile and imprisonment of Lithuanians, managed over 270 Lithuanian cemeteries; traveled about 170,000 kilometers by plane, ship, train, SUV and on foot. At this time, when the commemorative signs of Lithuanian exiles are being destroyed so intensively in Russia, the memoirs collected by Gražina, every chapel inventoried becomes an important testimony of historical memory. Not allowing the exiles’ memory paths to freeze.”

ALGIRD SINKEVIČIUS

“The researcher of the history of Little Lithuania, who took on the responsibility of publishing the two thousand eight hundred and twenty page monograph “Viešvilė”, who assembled a team of 97 authors for this titanic work – from professors to teachers, librarians, foresters; having written as many as 55 articles for the publication himself. Having walked all over the Viešvilės surroundings, the monograph reveals not only the history of this region, but extensively presents ethnographic material, a unique dialect and folklore. Having built an indestructible book monument for Little and Great Lithuania”.

GINTARS VAICIUANS

“Historian, chairman of the Anykščių branch of the Union of Political Prisoners and Deportees, founder of the Anykščių club “Tremtinys”, active member of the Anykščių initiative group of the Lithuanian reform movement, awarded with the title of “Century Anykštės”. Investigating the facts of the 1941 June Uprising, deportations, and partisan battles, Gintaras urges us not to forget the tragic history of the occupation, and tries to find attractive ways to convey it to young people. The interactive map of the partisans of Aukštaitija created by him is not just a game of history – it is a great tool that introduces the defenders of the Freedom of Aukštaitija. Serving the idea of ​​Freedom of the Motherland since the days of Sajjudis”.

EGIDIJUS BIČKAUSKAS

“Lawyer, signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. In his youth, Egidijus’ courage and determination were revealed even in the Soviet Lithuanian prosecutor’s office when he founded the Sąjūdis support group, later when he created the Referendum Law, which gave Lithuania the legal basis to leave the USSR, in 1989 he was the first to announce the criminal Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact at the Congress of the Supreme Council of the USSR, and in the 1990s he assumed the responsibility of being permanent representative of the Government of Lithuania in Moscow. And now – taking care of the pets of orphanages, for sixteen years already organizing Karting tournaments for them to win the Signator’s Cup. Having created the legal foundations of our state, he is now charitably taking care of the disadvantaged children of the country.”

for philanthropic activities, especially promoting and supporting the self-expression of young people:

VICTORIA JOVARIENĖ

“Promoter of horse breeding. With all my life, all my soul, all my resources. She is not only the first woman to start in the Sartė race, she has turned her home into a unique HORSE museum, the activities of which include all family members. The museum owns not only the farmhouse, the laying, two granaries, but also the stables of the Sapiegi manor, which have been brought back to life. And where else was the “Ašvienia fans” club founded with my daughters, exhibitions, events, celebrations for the community and visiting guests! It’s not just a love for horses, it’s a great love for people. This is the gem of Aukštaitija, which has created a unique mecca of culture in Užpaliai”.

SAULIUS FILIPAVICIUS

“From the time of Sąjūdis, the priest and philanthropist is well known to the people of Panevėžys. Erudite and patron of culture, who revived the ensemble of the 18th-century Troškūnai St. Bernard Monastery and the former pro-gymnasium, adapted Troškūnai St. to the cultural needs of the community. The basement of the Trinity Church and reconstructed the organ. Organizer and patron of charity and support concerts. He devoted a lot of energy to the pastoral care of Troškūnai youth, cultural and educational activities, the children’s camps organized by the Adolf Kolping Society, the integration of Roma children, and the preservation of the town’s Jewish heritage. Tirelessly spreading the light of culture in Troškūnai”.

VICTORIA ALEKNAVICIENĖ

“An officer of the Trakai Fire Rescue Service, not strict, but gentle and loving. You will meet her disguised as a puppy or beaver at Trakai city festivals, giving lectures in kindergartens and schools. 17 years ago, Viktoria opened her heart to the children of the day care center in Lentvaris parish house by organizing the Christmas party “Lights of Kindness”. It has been a long time since Victoria stopped working in Lentvari, but the rays of kindness still warm the children of this city – today the celebration brings together over 300 participants, it is already organized by the Lentvari cultural center, but it all started with the kindness of the heart of one loving person. She warms the people of Trakai region with rays of kindness”.

DAIVA GRIKŠIENĖ

“Journalist, documentary filmmaker, entrepreneur, founder of the first women’s LIONS club in Lithuania. For more than twenty years, Daiva has been providing voluntary assistance to children with cancer and the elderly in need. Support for people who need it the most, dissemination of philanthropic ideas, social work, inclusion of young people in the ranks of volunteers, training of leaders, implementation of charity projects – such a wide field of volunteer activity of Daiva. “We serve” – ​​this LIONS motto is also the leitmotif of Daiva’s life. She gives more light and joy to the weaker.”

for spreading the culture of volunteering in Lithuania:

IRENA DUCHOVSKA

“Chairman of the Kėdainiai Polish Society, organizer of Polish culture days and festivals, organizing camps, hikes, plein airs, literary meetings, concerts for those interested in Lithuanian Polish culture. She has assembled the Polish song ensemble “Isa”. Irena is an active member of European associations of Polish authors, journalists and translators and Polish writers abroad, a member of the Order of Saint Adalbert – Knights of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, author of ten books popularizing the cultural heritage of Liuda and Nevėžys region. It opens the cultural heritage of the Poles of the Kėdainiai region to the world”.

REMIGIJUS POZNIAKOVA

Physics teacher at Šiauliai Liepori high school, the most innovative Lithuanian teacher of 2018. Remigijus has been an active scout leader of the Šiauliai region for ten years – a tuna hunter, awarded the Order of Lithuanian Scouting “For Merit”; volunteer of the organizations “Strong Together” and “Maisto Bankas”. He volunteers at the Malva Ukrainian Integration Center, the Šiauliai Tourism Information Center, the Culture Center, the Public Health Office, the Red Cross, Scouting events and wherever volunteer hands are needed. Remigius’ volunteering activities also infected his students. Teacher giving mature life lessons”.

INGA MAKNAVICIENĖ

“Pianist, pedagogue, laureate of international competitions, director of the charity and support fund “Baltijos impresijos”, creator and organizer of the international chamber music festival “Impresijos”. Together with her colleagues and her students, Inga organizes charity concerts of sacred music in the churches of Klaipėda, Neringa, Little Lithuania, concerts in museums, libraries, and other non-traditional places. Organizes open master classes, competitions. By including singers, actors, historians, writers, Inga expands the field of professional art and opens new creative spaces. Actively, voluntarily, Inga creates the cultural identity of Klaipėda region. She is devoted to the vocation of music and her country.”

VYTAUTAS DEKSNYS

“Philosopher, poet, translator – author of forty-three translated books. By translating from Polish, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Czech, Slovak, Serbian, Latvian, he brings the culture of these countries closer to Lithuanian readers. He has repeatedly initiated joint workshops for Lithuanian and Polish, Belarusian and Ukrainian translators, organized free seminars and meetings. Vytautas is an active participant of the international poetic event “Magnus Ducatus Poesis”, organized and implemented international projects – “Luck writers’ forum” and “Daugiabalsė in Lviv”. In 2023, he was awarded the “Gloria Artis” medal of the Republic of Poland for his translations of Polish literature. It opens the cultures of Eastern and Central Europe to Lithuania”.

for socially relevant journalism that fosters nationalism and spiritual values:

POVILAS SCHWERB

“Historian, culturist, publicist, pedagogue, in one word – an educator, who researches the cultural and historical heritage of Žemaitija and substantiated with documents the exact date of birth of Dioniz Poška and the fact that the birthplace of the Narutavičius brothers is Telšiai, who described the church bells, sacred architecture and art monuments of Žemaitija. Povilas is happy to share his discoveries with the public by giving lectures, holding conferences, book presentations, expeditions, and quizzes for young people. He has published more than 350 publications on the topic of Žemaitija cultural history research! He is a modest and careful erudite, following in the footsteps of Simon Daukant.”

GIEDRĖ MIČIņIENĖ

“Writer, researcher of the cultural history of the Zarasai region, author of twenty personal works and journalistic publications, writing about the people and places of the Zarasai region: these are solid studies about Turmanta, Dusetai parish, churches of Baltriškės and Antalieptė and Rokiškis region; about the priest Alfons Merkis, the nun Gemas, the writer Mariės Katiliškis. Giedrė is a volunteer of the Zarasai Public Library, who voluntarily teaches the Lithuanian language to the brothers of Baltriškės Tiberias, encouraging schoolchildren to be interested in their native dialect and to enrich their Lithuanian vocabulary with dialectal words. This is the white chronicler of Zarasai region”.

PETRAS JUKNEVIČIUS

“Historian, guide, carefully researching the historical and cultural heritage of the Panevėžys region and announcing the found facts to the public: Petras has written more than one thousand two hundred articles, organized dozens of conferences, and published several dozen publications. In recent years, he devoted a lot of time and energy to preparing historical directories of residential areas for the twelve wards of the Panevėžys district, in which we will find the names of villages that have long since disappeared and their history, family origins, and facts about famous people. Petras is a pioneer in the study of local history in the Panevėžys region. He is doing the careful work of a historian for the future.”

DONATAS PETROSIUS

“One of the most talented contemporary poets and essayists, whose books have been awarded significant literary prizes. His journalistic texts are characterized by a unique sense of humor and an incomparable sense of language. Neither the events of Lithuanian politics and social life nor what is happening in the world escapes Donat’s eyes, he also closely observes the cultural life. The publicist’s accurate satire jabs at populism, bureaucracy, hasty government decisions, the superficiality of culture… Recently, he has been paying a lot of attention to the war in Ukraine. The message of these texts is clear – we must not tire of supporting Ukraine. He monitors public health and reminds us of our civic duty to the state.”

Kristina Zmailaitė and Edmundas Seilius performed musical pieces for the laureates.

Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė commemorative medals “Serve Lithuania” award ceremony moments. Photos of the Seimas Chancellery (author: Ilona Šilenkova). Photos of all laureates can be found on the Seimas website HERE.