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Latvian conductor Kaspars Putniņš has been awarded the Baltic Assembly Prize in the Arts. The prize was awarded to Putniņš for his performance with the Latvian Radio Choir in the concert programme Stream of Dreams, which took place on 31 March 2023 in the Great Hall of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music as part of the Baltic Music Days. At the formal ceremony in Riga on Thursday, 13 November, the prize was received on his behalf by the Ilze Paidere-Staķe, Director of the Latvian Radio Choir.
“Tonight, I invite all of us to feel our strength and the strong shoulder of a friend. Together we are the Baltic core—free, unbreakable, and proud of our achievements,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima.
Jānis Vucāns, President of the Baltic Assembly, emphasized that the achievements celebrated today are not merely individual accomplishments, but also a reflection of the shared Baltic spirit. Because of culture, science, and innovation, we can protect the elements that define us, and build a stronger and more resilient Baltic Sea region.
The Baltic Assembly Prize in Literature was awarded to Lithuanian poet, literary critic, and translator Tomas Venclova for his latest poetry collection Už Onos ir Bernardinų, and the BA Prize in Science was awarded to Professor of Political Theory at the University of Tartu, Eva Piirimäe, for her monograph Herder and Enlightenment Politics.
The amount of each prize is 5,000 euros. The BA Prize was established in 1994 and since then has been awarded to several well-known scientists, artists, and cultural workers.
This year’s Baltic Innovation Prize was awarded to the Latvian company Spark Technologies, specialising in the design, research, development, and production of manned and unmanned surface and underwater vessels, as well as aviation-grade composite material components.
Baltic Assembly Medals were also awarded at the event. Energy expert Reinis Āboltiņš was awarded with the medal for his significant contribution to the development and explanation of energy policy, as well as for his active participation in the work of Assembly committees and public debates. Agnija Antanoviča, BA Secretary General, was also awarded for her selfless work in supporting the functioning of the Baltic Assembly and in promoting the good name of the organization.
Michael H. Clemmesen, Brigadier General (ret) and founder of the Baltic Defence College, was honoured for his outstanding contribution in coordinating the development of military cooperation between the Baltic and Nordic countries, while Lithuanian Member of Parliament Giedrius Drukteinis was recognized for his steadfast leadership and important role in strengthening cooperation among the Baltic States.
Brigadier General Christoph Huber received a medal for defending the territories and shared values of the Baltic States and ensuring reliable deterrence, while former Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas was honoured for his outstanding contribution and sincere cooperation in implementing joint Baltic regional projects.
Translator Valvi Strikaitienė was also honoured with a medal for numerous translations from Lithuanian into Estonian and for fostering diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Estonia. Zoologist Uudo Timm received a medal for promoting cooperation and communication among the Baltic States in the fields of nature protection and zoology, and for organizing Baltic Theriological Conferences.
Writer and diplomat Anna Žīgure was likewise honoured with a medal for her achievements in integrating Latvia into the community of Baltic Sea nations, and for her outstanding contribution to fostering cultural cooperation among the Baltic States and promoting shared values.
The award ceremony took place on Thursday, 13 November, ahead of the 44th Session of the Baltic Assembly, bringing Latvian, Estonian, and Lithuanian parliamentarians together in Riga to discuss topical regional issues, including transport connectivity as a pillar of regional unity, economic development, and security guarantee.
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Saeima Press Service