"Culture is what makes life worth living. I congratulate the laureates of the National Culture and Art Awards – your creativity shapes our identity, fosters sensitivity, raises vital questions, and strengthens cultural dialogue. Your works are Lithuania's voice in the world, speaking not through slogans, but through enduring value," stated the Minister of Culture, Vaida Aleknavičienė, during the solemn ceremony.
The National Jonas Basanavičius award was presented to museologists Arūnas Sniečkus and Vida Sniečkuvienė for their long-standing educational, creative, and social activities, unified and given meaning through living tradition.
The Lithuanian National Culture and Art Awards were granted to:
- Giedrė Marija Žebriūnienė (stage name Giedrė Kaukaitė), opera and chamber music performer – for her unique contribution to the creation of Lithuanian vocal music identity and the vitality of the art of interpretation.
- Marija Drėmaitė, architectural historian – for opening the horizons of modern Lithuanian architecture and the dissemination of architectural ideas.
- Gintaras Grajauskas, poet, playwright, and essayist – for a poetic cross-section of contemporary existence.
- Albinas Kėleris, theater and film actor – for acting mastery and loyalty to the art of theater.
- Ignas Miškinis, film director – for the story of human and societal maturity revealed through compelling cinematic language.
- Laisvydė Šalčiūtė, artist – for an intellectual riot of imagination embodying the female gaze.
Event photos can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/46sd84um
