Other events in Baltic States

On Monday, the names of the six laureates of Lithuanian National Culture and Art Awards were announced. Actor Donatas Banionis, composers Faustas Latenas and Giedrius Antanas Kuprevicius, writer Vladas Braziunas and actor Juozas Budratis were presented the prestigious awards, informs LETA/ELTA.

Camera operator Jonas Gricius was awarded Legend of Live.

This year, 12 people pretended to get the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Awards. Among them – actors Donatas Banionis and Juozas Buraitis, writers Vytautas Martinkus and Vladas Braziunas, composer Vladimiras Cekasinas, musicologist Viktoras Gerulaitis, composers Giedrius Antanas Kurpevicius and Faustas Latenas, composer Vytautas Miskinis, cameraman Jonas Griciuis, visual artist Arturas Raila and photographer Algirdas Seskus.

The commission which was charged with the duty to elect the laureates was under the leadership of historian Alfredas Bumblauskas.

The Lithuanian National Culture and Art Awards, established in 1989, is an award granted for achievements in culture and the arts. It has been awarded annually in six categories since 2006 (between 1989 and 2006 there were nine categories). The prize is formally bestowed on February 16, when the decorations and diplomas are presented to the laureates at Presidential Palace, commemorating the anniversary of the 1918 Act of Independence of Lithuania.

The award honors significant recent achievements in cultural fields and works by artists or art collectives. The honorees may be citizens of Lithuania or members of the Lithuanian World Community. When the award was first established, works accomplished during the previous five years were considered; this period was extended to seven years in 2008. The candidacies are open each year until September 15, and the winners are announced on December 15. Each Lithuanian National Prize consists of a memorial sign, a diploma, and a monetary grant. A single person can only receive the National Prize once.