The National Culture and Art Prizes in Lithuania will be awarded in a special ceremony held at the Philharmonic, where laureates from previous years will present the awards to the 2025 winners. This year’s awards go to notable individuals including architectural historian Marija Drėmaitė, poet and playwright Gintaras Grajauskas, and filmmaker Ignas Miškinis, among others, recognizing their significant contributions to the arts.

Additionally, the Jonas Basanavičius Prize will be awarded to Arūnas and Vida Sniečkas for their work in establishing the Antanas and Jonas Juška Museum, acknowledging their long-term educational, creative, and societal efforts that connect the living tradition of ethnic culture in Lithuania. This dual award highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the roles played by individuals and institutions in promoting Lithuania’s artistic legacy.

Typically, these awards are presented at the Presidential Palace, with the current state leader officiating the ceremony. However, last autumn, artists protested the government’s decision to transfer the Culture Ministry’s portfolio to a different ministry, highlighting ongoing tensions in the cultural sector and the continued need for support and recognition of the arts in Lithuania.