Republic of Poland’s Orders of Merits given for distinguished Lithuanian citizens

On Thursday 14 of February the ceremony of awarding state decorations at the request of the President Bronislaw Komorowski was held in Polish embassy in Pac Palace in Vilnius. The citizens of Republic of Lithuania were decorated for their work.

“A celebration of honouring people who rendered great service for the process of the development of Polish-Lithuanian cooperation, propagating Polish culture and preserving Polish education in Lithuania constitute for an inauguration of the Revival of Lithuanian Independence. Without independent Poland there would not be independent Lithuania but without sovereign Lithuania there would be no sovereign Poland,” Juliusz Skolimowski, the Polish ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius, said.

He wished that all honoured people remain as examples for the others while continuing their every day work; the examples of how one should cherish one’s identity, how to take care of mutual Polish-Lithuanian cultural heritage and how to propagate Polish culture.

“As a doctor I believe that mutual respect is the most important thing for family or neighbourly relations. I am happy to be honoured with such a prominent award from Poland with which we share a common history. My grandmother was Polish and I am very proud of it. She taught me a prayer in Polish,” Antanas Vinkus, the adviser of the Lithuanian Prime Minister, said.

Antanas Vinkus emphasised that he was going to strive for better Polish-Lithuanian relations. The cross, with which he was awarded, obligates him to continue his work within his capabilities in order to improve the relations between Lithuania and Poland.

“Any award is very important and gratifies people. It means that your work was appreciated and recognised. I am also very grateful to be honoured with such an award but we must remember that awards are not the most significant. The most important for us is to stay humans no matter in what situation we are,” Rita Tamašunienė, a Member of Parliament of the RL on behalf of EAPL, said.

The decorations were given:

1. For great contribution to the process of the development of cooperation between the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Lithuania; for the promotion of knowledge about common historical heritage of nations living in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth:

Gudavičius Edvardas, Lithuanian historian, honoured with the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

Jučas Mečislovas, Lithuanian historian, honoured with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

1. For great achievements in development of the Polish-Lithuanian cooperation:

Vinkus Antanas, a diplomat, former Minister of Health, now the adviser of the Lithuanian Prime Minister, honoured with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

1. For outstanding contribution to the promotion of Polish culture and the development of Polish education in Lithuania:

Gulbinowicz Anna, Polish teacher, long-standing teacher in Szymon Konarski’s High School, now retired, honoured with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

Dzierzynska Krystyna, the deputy president of the Polish Educational Society, honoured with Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

1. For the outstanding achievements in the activities of the Polish community abroad; for promoting the  Polish culture:

Ludowski Artur, the head of the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius, honoured with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

Zieminska Krystyna, the deputy head the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius, honoured with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

1. For the contribution in promoting the Polish folklore:

Bogdanowicz Krystyna, the long-standing choreographer of “Switezianka” group, honoured with the Gold Cross of Merit

1. For the outstanding achievements in the activities of the Polish community abroad; for promoting Polish culture:

Rita Tamašunienė, Member of Parliament of the RL on behalf of EAPL, honoured with the Silver Cross of Merit

Wojnicz Wladyslaw, the commercial manager in the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius, honoured with Silver Cross of Merit

Jakowicz Grzegorz, the employee in the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius, honoured with Silver Cross of Merit

Lukaszewicz Irena, the deputy commercial manager in the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius, honoured with Bronze Cross of Merit

Miezonis Bozena, the projects coordinator in the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius, honoured with Bronze Cross of Merit

Source: http://kurierwilenski.lt/2013/02/18/odznaczenia-rp-dla-zasluzonych-obywateli-litwy/

Tłumaczenie Patrycja Olszówka w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Patrycja Olszówka the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.