Baltic Assembly Prizes for Literature, the Arts and Science

Baltic Innovation Prize

Baltic Assembly Medals

6 November 2020 Address by the President of the Baltic Assembly Aadu Must

This year the Baltic Assembly, as any contribute to the targeted cooperation of other organisation, has been significantly our states and prosperity of our Baltic affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. region that will be extremely important Despite the difficulties and restrictions to in the years to come. These people meet in person, the traditions of our promote the unity and cooperation of organisation continue but in slightly the - we greatly appreciate different format this year. their work. We award the Baltic Assembly Prizes to Unity and cooperation of the Baltic states outstanding people, who have are extremely important for us. We are demonstrated excellence in literature, thankful to all people who feel the same the arts, science and innovation. This way and act in order to bring the countries year’s winners of the Baltic Assembly closer together. The awarding of the Baltic Prizes have used their talent and Assembly Prizes and Medals in , knowledge to encourage thinking, remind and is our way of saying about the historical milestones of that even though times are tough people are those who hold our nations together Photo by Ieva Ābele (Administration of Parliament of the Republic of Latvia) the Baltic states and make our countries visible in the international arena. Awards and we are grateful for that. We are also have been won in strong competition, as very proud about their achievements. the decision was made by competent On behalf of the Baltic Assembly, international jury. My special thanks go I congratulate all who have been awarded to this year’s jury for their excellent work. the Prizes and Medals of the Baltic Assembly. We also congratulate the people for their significant contribution to strengthening the unity and cooperation of the Baltic states. Medals of the Baltic Assembly will be awarded to people who not only care Aadu Must about our Baltic nations, but also President of the Baltic Assembly Winner of the Baltic Assembly Prize for Literature

The Baltic Assembly Prize for Literature stories and poetry have been translated 2020 is awarded to Birutė Jonuškaitė into English, French, Belarusian, German, from Lithuania for her novel cycle Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Georgian, “Maranta” and “Maestro”, which belong Croatian, Slovenian, Slovak, Czech and with the long, branched-out texts that Spanish. weave numerous storylines and created The first part of the dilogy “Maranta”, detailed characters, which possess constructed from real characters and the versatility and depth of the classic historical events, highlights the fates of canon, and which raise the language to three generations of women, whose the appropriate heights also for the hefty stories are told by the young artist Rasa. book of conversations “Laikas ir likimai” The second part “Maestro” is a novel (“Time and Destiny”). about the talented painter Viktor and his Birutė Jonuškaitė is a prose writer, an artistic creation peculiarities. Birutė excellent translator, essayist, publicist, Jonuškaitė cares how from a poor journalist and poet. She was born on 5 childhood it is possible to become October in 1959 in Poland but lives in a famous creator of works of art. The book Lithuania form 1985. She has written of conversations “Time and Destiny”, Photo by Linas Daukša. short stories, novels, poems, essays and however, is about the meetings with interviews. Birutė Jonuskaite’s short Lithuanian and Polish Authors. Winner of the Baltic Assembly Prize for the Arts

The Baltic Assembly Prize for the Arts the Baltic states were very known for 2020 is awarded to Kristīne Briede from their documentary films. In particular Latvia and from Lithuania they were known for their special style - for meditative documentary essay poetic documentary. Its main practitioners “Bridges of Time” (2018), which was are Herz Frank, Ulvis Brauns, Ivars Selekis, co-produced by Lithuanian, Latvian and Mark Soosaar, Andres Sööt, Robertas Estonian studios and portrays the less- Sverba and others. They push remembered generation of cinema poets the boundaries of what was accepted in of the Baltic New Wave. the Soviet times. As there were obstacles Kristine Briede is a Latvian film maker of that did not allowed them to explore cultural and social issues who has received the horizon they went up to the vertical. numerous recognitions for her projects in Instead they spoke about the timeless the fields of art, cinema and society things that matter always independently integration. Audrius Stonys on the other of what regime is ruling or which year is in hand is a globally acclaimed Lithuanian the calendar. Thus, the Baltic poetic

Photo by Agnese Zeltiņa documentary film maker. These authors documentary cinema created an directed together the Latvian, Lithuanian independent world free from ideology, and Estonian awarded documentary film lies and propaganda. It was a declaration “Bridges of Time”. of inner freedom. In their film the authors “Bridges of Time” is a wonderful film that managed to go far beyond the limits of observes the works of the film directors of common historiographic investigation. so-called Baltic New Way which is certain The authors managed to highlight original style in documentary film making the poetic aspect of the film. The result is in 1960s of three Baltic States. In 1960s, truly cinematic poem about cinema poets. Winner of the Baltic Assembly Prize for Science

The Baltic Assembly Prize for Science He has around 366 publications and is 2020 is awarded to Roberts Eglītis for still very active in his field. work cycle: “Theoretical predictions of In the beginning of 21st century, Roberts new materials for energy storage and Eglītis with his co-authors was the first harvesting”. in the world who theoretically proved Roberts Eglītis was born in in 1966. possibility to reach 5-volts battery that He finished Latvian State University and means longer performance time of then spent a lot of time working in the devices which are on batteries. All excellent scientific centres all around batteries currently around the world the globe - in , Asia and the US. are 4-volts batteries. The research of When he collected a lot of experience, he Roberts Eglītis is important as scientists came back to Riga and now works in all over the world are searching the way the Solid-State Physics Institute in Riga. to improve the batteries. Research of The Institute is known around the globe Roberts Eglītis is very important for for different solutions and inventions in the human kind as lives will improve

Photo by Herta Taube the field of solid matter. Roberts Eglītis when 5-volts batteries will reach Hirsch index is 33 and it is still growing. the market. Nominees for the Baltic Medal Recipients Innovation Prize 2020

Baltic Innovation Prize is being awarded for outstanding 1. Eveli Bauer for her untiring spirit of cooperation and achievement in innovation and new technologies, as well as for contribution making 3B joint procurements of medicines the strengthening of cooperation of the Baltic states in innovation a success story and technological development. 2. Ginta Gerharde-Upeniece for organizing the pan-Baltic art • KAPPAZETA OÜ (Estonia) – winner project “Wild Souls. Symbolism in the Baltic States” A science-driven radar remote sensing company and its goal 3. Gusty Graas for many years of excellent cooperation, is to make space a valuable asset for everyone. The key area support and sharing experience with the Baltic Assembly the company focuses on is agriculture. With the growing 4. Azer Karimli for promoting cooperation between the Baltic global population there is increasing pressure to produce Assembly and GUAM Parliamentary Assembly more food every year, but land suitable for agriculture is at 5. Tanel Kiik for his dedication and scientific-based approach the same time decreasing. They believe that with timely in solving acute health and social issues and managing to information extracted from satellite data, farmers can make overcome the largest healthcare crisis in recent decades better decisions, earn more profit and ultimately grow (COVID-19) in cooperation with Baltic colleagues better food. 6. Dins Merirands for his long-term proactive contribution • PERUZA SIA (Latvia) to the implementation of the project Rail Baltica and active A process engineering and equipment manufacturing cooperation with the Baltic Assembly on transport company. Their products let the clients produce more quality infrastructure related issues in the Baltic States product at less cost. The company creates and produces 7. Pyry Niemi for persistent promotion of the cooperation production equipment mainly for the food processing between the Baltic and the Nordic countries industry, especially for fish processing. 8. Virginijus Sinkevičius for supporting Baltic cooperation • LEMONA UAB (Lithuania) in an enlarged Europe A global leader in the whose main field of 9. Saulius Skvernelis for the outstanding contribution and activity is wholesale and retail trade in various electronic sincere cooperation in implementing joint Baltic projects components, tools, materials, as well as smart home and business solutions. A successful company activity in Lithuania has created favourable conditions for its expansion abroad. Winners of the Baltic Assembly Prizes 1994 – 2019 1994 1996 1998

Literature Literature Judita Vaičiūnaitė Literature Emil Tode Lithuania: for her poetry collection Estonia: for his novel the Border Land Wreaths of Zemyna Lithuania: for his poetical metamorphoses

The Arts The Arts Pēteris Vasks Eimuntas Nekrošius Latvia: for his Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, The Arts Lithuania: for his stage productions Quasi una Sonata, String Quartet No.3 and (in particular plays by Chekhov, Shakespeare, much, String Quartet No.3 and music for Erkki-Sven Tüür Pushkin, Gogol) three poems of Czeslaw Milosz Estonia: for his musical creativity

Science Science Science Andris Caune Juhan Maiste Jānis Krastinš Latvia: for his research series of Estonia: for his research series the Classical Latvia: for his achievements in researching the history of Riga Tradition in the Estonian Art: 1530- 1830 Art Nouveau architecture in Riga 1995 1997 1999

Literature Uldis Bērziņš Literature Literature Latvia: for his poetry collections Jaan Kaplinski Jaan Kross Stepsounds of Insects, Time and Poetry Estonia: for his essays and poetry Estonia: for his novel Standstill Flight

The Arts The Arts The Arts Gidons Krēmers Mindaugas Baužys Peeter Mudist Latvia: for promoting the musical culture of Lithuania: for the roles he has played revealing Estonia: for his paintings the Baltic States throughout the world himself as an artist-creator

Science Science Science Janīna Kursīte Juozas Kulys Rimutė Rimantienė Latvia: for her publications and a monograph Lithuania: for his research series in biochemistry Lithuania: for her archaeological investigations about the mythical elements in Baltic folklore, and biophysics on the history and arts of the Baltic States literature and art 2000 2002 2004

Literature Literature Literature Jaan Tätte Pēteris Brūveris Jānis Rokpelnis Estonia: for his plays the Bridge and Latvia: for his poetry book the Landscape of Latvia: for his poetry collection Lyrics Happy Everyday! Language and other publications

The Arts Biruta Baumane The Arts The Arts Latvia: for her professional achievements in a large-scale solo exhibition, for her contribution Mindaugas Navakas Veljo Tormis to the development of painting, Lithuania: for promoting art processes in Estonia: for his compositions as well as for her autobiography I am living the Baltic States

Science Science Science Arvo Krikmann Silvestras Gaižiūnas Estonia: for his empirical research on Lithuania: for his scholarly work and activity in Algirdas Gaižutis the cognitive theory of figurative language developing cultural ties among the Baltic, Lithuania: for his significant contribution to the Contribution of Contemporary Theory of Nordic and European nations art research and essay collection a Glance Metaphor to Paremiology

2001 2003 2005

Literature Literature Justinas Marcinkevičius Literature Hasso Krull Lithuania: for his lyrical poetry, Vytautas Bubnys Estonia: for his poetry collection of and poetry collection Carmina Minora Lithuania: for his novel In a Dove’s Flutter Metre and Demeter

The Arts String The Arts The Arts Quartet Ilmārs Blumbergs Lithuania: for their unique Latvia: for his creative achievements and Jaan Toomik understanding of cultural unique style in set designs for Mozart`s Estonia: for his creative work as artist and mission, consistent work the Magic Flute and the exhibition Windows organiser of art activities and broad scope of activities

Science Science Raimo Pullat Elita Grosmane Science Estonia: for his research on the history of Latvia: for her comprehensive scholarly Ēvalds Mugurēvičs Estonia and the Baltic States and towns of monograph Baroque Sculpture of Kurzeme: Latvia: for his research on medieval chronicles the 18th century, and between 1917 - 1941 1660-1740 about 2006 2008 2010

Literature Nora Ikstena Literature Latvia: for her book the Undefined One, Knuts Skujenieks Literature for unique collaboration with the Latvian poet Latvia: for his eight volumes of poetry Imants Ziedonis and her significant work in Works written in prison and in a camp for the field of culture political prisoners in Mordovia Estonia: for her poetry collection Tower

The Arts The Arts The Arts Antanas Žukauskas Petras Vyšniauskas Lithuania: for professionally communicating Andres Tali Lithuania: for promoting Baltic Jazz in the world, traditional values in the fine arts, for striking Estonia: for his works that touch on existential for fruitful and intensive activity comprising the right balance between the modern and problems of human life and addresses the most concert tours, teaching, recording and the traditional, and for promoting fundamental questions of humanity the launching of various projects the Baltic identity in the world

Science Science Dr. Lembit Vaba Gediminas Valkiūnas Estonia: for compiling the English-Estonian- Science Lithuania: for the monograph Avian Malaria Latvian-Lithuanian-Russian Dictionary, Parasites and Other Haemosporidia and his for mapping the Estonian- Jānis Stradiņš contribution to strengthening links between border and for rediscovering Latvia: for his book the Beginnings of Science parasitologists of the Baltic and Nordic countries enclaves in southern regions of Latvia and Higher Education in Latvia

2007 2009 2011

Literature Literature Literature Arvydas Juozaitis Lithuania: for his books Inga Ābele Lithuania: for his book Riga – No One’s K.B. Suspected and Silent Latvia: for her novel Tide Civilization

The Arts The Arts The Arts Andris Nelsons Marko Mäetamm Latvia: for his outstanding achievement in Silvija Radzobe Estonia: for his professional and successful promoting the performing arts and creating Latvia: for her contribution on preparing exhibitions and achievements on the Baltic and a positive image of Latvia and the book Theatre Production in the Baltic States international scene the Baltic States in the world

Science Science Tarmo Soomere Leonardas Sauka Science Estonia: for his research series on ship waves in Lithuania: for his book Eglė, Queen of Adders, the Baltic Sea as a source of threat to for a fundamental study on the folklore heritage Andres Ilmar Kasekamp the coastal environment of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and other countries Estonia: for his book History of the Baltic States 2012 2014 2016 Literature Literature Lithuania: for his literature critic, playwright, Literature essayist and translator, for his creative work, Aivars Kļavis broad and sharp worldview and ability to grasp Peeter Sauter fundamental issues, for his contemporary Latvia: for his tetralogy poetics (My Fang Conviction, Without the Ring to On the Other Side of the Gate Estonia: for his novel Do not Leave Me Alone Return, the City of Concealed Lilies)

The Arts Visible Solutions LLC The Arts Estonia: for artistic achievements Alvis Hermanis The Arts in integrating Estonian, Latvian Latvia: for his creative directorial achievements Kristijonas Vildžiūnas and Lithuanian art scenes into one in conducting numerous theatre plays and arena of discussion particularly Oblomow Estonia: for his film Seneca’s Day which is the first Estonian – Latvian – Lithuanian co-production project Science Science Algis Petras Piskarskas Vidas Gražulevičius Science Lithuania: for his pioneering research in laser Lithuania: for his achievements in materials Dr.pharm Maija Dambrova physics and nonlinear optics, for developing chemistry and engineering, for active innovative laser instruments and for fruitful collaboration with researchers from other Latvia: for her scientific work on energy international collaboration in Europe and world Baltic States metabolism and her contribution to research of the mechanisms of action of the metabolic drug meldonium 2015 2017 Literature 2013 Vladas Braziūnas Lithuania: for his poetic discoveries made Literature while delving into the Baltic worldview and Literature the linguistic heritage of the Lithuanian, Latvian Māris Bērziņš and other languages and as well as for his Donaldas Kajokas translations from Latvian and other languages Latvia: for his novel the Taste of Lead Lithuania: for his poetry collection and outstanding international projects on To the Deaf Little Donkey and the nove modern poetry the Lake and its Escorting Persons The Arts The Arts Modestas Pitrėnas Laima Slava Lithuania: for his creative endeavours to Latvia: for the excellent professional The Arts advance the idea of interaction amongst contribution to the theory development of the cultures of all three Baltic States and to the art science, as well as for the outstanding Peeter Vähi further their cultural promotion on achievement in the book publishing sector, Estonia: for his oratorio Maria Magdalena, the European and global scale by conducting especially in publishing of art books, which which is based on gospel texts in numerous plays and concerts in performance significantly have enriched the current cultural the original Coptic language venues and theatres in Estonia, landscape and furthermore foster Latvia and Lithuania the international recognition of Latvian culture Science Eva-Clarita Pettai Science and Vello Pettai Science Renāte Blumberga Estonia: for their Prof Andres Metspalu Latvia: for her research on the history and monograph Transitional and Estonia: for his innovative, diverse and cultural history of the Liv people, Retrospective Justice in lasting contribution to gene technology and the second titular national of Latvia the Baltic States molecular diagnostic 2018 Winners of the Baltic Innovation Prize Literature Gundega Repše 2011 – 2019 Latvia: for her idea and concept of the historical novel series “Us. Latvia. XX century”, the curating of the publication of 13 novels in the series, as well as for the novel 2011 2016 “Bogene” as one of the novels in the series Winner: Winner: Cybernetica Ltd (Estonia) Baltic Scientific Instruments (Latvia) Diplomas: Diplomas:

The Arts Autonams (Latvia) Fortumo (Estonia) Jurgita Dronina Energetikos Projektai (Lithuania) Sofneta (Lithuania) Lithuania: for her impressive performances on the greatest stages of the world 2012 2017 Winner: Winner: Aconitum UAB, (Lithuania) EstHus OÜ (Estonia) Science Diplomas: Dr Els Heinsalu Diplomas: Defendec Ltd (Estonia) Biotehniskais centrs JSC (Latvia) Estonia: for her significant contribution in the theory of complex systems and stochastic Dendrolight Latvija Ltd (Latvia) UAB Singletonas (Lithuania) processes 2013 2018 Winner: Winner: ELMI Ltd., (Latvia) UAB Mokslinė-gamybinė firma “Šviesos 2019 Diplomas: konversija” / scientific-industrial Literature GoSwift PLC (Estonia) firm Light Conversion Ltd. Leelo Tungal Uniplicity (Lithuania) (Lithuania) Estonia: for her autobiographic trilogy “Comrade Kid” (Tänapäev, 2018), with a special emphasis Diplomas: on the last book of the series “A Woman’s 2014 “ZTF Lāsma” LTD (Latvia) Touch” (Tänapäev, 2018), where Stalin’s era is Winner: depicted through the eyes of a child AS Ridango (Estonia) TransferWise Eesti filiaal (Estonia) The Arts Diplomas: 2019 Normunds Šnē Silvanols (Latvia) Winner: Latvia: for the performance at the concert in Rubedo Sistemos (Lithuania) honour of 100-year anniversary of the Baltic states UAVFACTORY SIA (Latvia) in the prominent Baltic Sea Festival in Stockholm’s Berwaldhallenon August 28, 2018, with Sinfonietta Diplomas: Rīga and Chamber Orchestra 2015 HEPTA GROUP AIRBORNE OÜ (Estonia) Winner: AXIOMA METERING UAB (Lithuania) Science Elinta, JSC (Lithuania) Jūras Banys Diplomas: Lithuania: nominated for his outstanding contribution to research and innovations in BIKE-ID (Estonia) ferroelectricity and phase transition as well as his devout leadership and professional scientific DPA (Latvia) achievements Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly Citadeles iela 2-616, Riga LV-1010, Latvia Phone: +371 67225178 http://www.baltasam.org

Photo acknowledgements: Archives of the Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly, Archives of the Seimas, Archives of the Saeima and Archives of the Riigikogu