The Highest Awards of Foreign States

On the centenary of the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, a unique exhibition of foreign awards was opened at the Centre for Civil Education, testifying the main achievements of Lithuania's foreign policy over the last decade.

During the opening of the exhibition, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė emphasized that the creation of the state and its symbols was not easy 100 years ago. Lithuanians were among the first ones to establish the President's institution. According to the Head of the state, the first election of the President was a political statement that our state was restored and came into existence.

The exhibition consists of 18 highest foreign states decorations and medals, awarded for Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė.  Each of them has its own unique history and is provided for special merits in promoting Lithuania’s diplomatic relations with foreign partners, allies and closest neighbours, based on their strong friendship, mutual understanding and support.

Among the awards given to the Head of State – the Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, which is provided for only very rare and special occasions. It was presented to the President Dalia Grybauskaitė by Joachim Gauck, the President of German Federal Republic, during a state visit to Lithuania in 2013.

Among the other exhibits - the Order of the White Eagle of the Republic of Poland. It is the oldest and the most honourable state award of The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (and now the Republic of Poland), which is granted for outstanding merits in peace and war. President Dalia Grybauskaitė was honoured by President Andrzej Duda in February 2019 for consolidating Lithuanian-Polish partnership over the last 10 years.

The Royal Order of the Seraphim of the Kingdom of Sweden presented by the King Carl XVI Gustaf, the Royal Norwegian Grand Cross of St. Olav, presented by the King Harald V, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, presented by the King Willem-Alexander, the Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic presented by the President Sergio Mattarella are also on display. Continuous support was evaluated by providing the highest awards of the following countries – the Order of Liberty of Ukraine and the Order of Queen Tamara (Sakartvelo).

The exhibition features Latvia's Order of Three Stars (first Class) and the Chain, the Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana of the Republic of Estonia, the Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland with Collar, the Icelandic Order of the Falcon, Grand Cross Star Xirka Gieh ir–Repubblika“ order of the Republic of Malta , Monaco's Grand Officer of the Order of Saint-Charles, the Collar „Pro Merito Melitensi“ by the Order of Malta, the Order for Exceptional Merits of the Republic of Slovenia, the Order of the Star of Romania (collar), the Order of the Republic of Moldova.

The curator of the exhibition – Šarūnas Jokubaitis. The main architect of the exhibition - dr. Rokas Kilčiauskas („Processoffice").