The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Lithuania are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the annual Balts’ Award.
The aim of the Balts’ Award is to recognize excellence and achievement related to individual contributions and accomplishments in promotion of Latvian-Lithuanian and Lithuanian-Latvian translations, teaching as well as enhancing the use of Latvian and Lithuanian languages, research on the Latvian and Lithuanian tangible and intangible cultural and historic heritage, as well as investigative journalism on Latvian and Lithuanian history, culture and tourism. This year, marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Lithuania, special emphasis is placed on the historical foundations of the bilateral relations between the two countries.
In accordance with the Regulation on the Balts’ Award, both – persons and institutions, which have contributed to the above-mentioned areas, can be nominated for the Award. Candidates from the previous years may also be nominated for the award.
The deadline to submit the nominations is 5 May 2026.
The decision on the winner will be made by the Jury, which consists of Latvian and Lithuanian language, literature, journalism and history experts, as well as representatives from both Foreign Ministries. The Award will be presented by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Lithuania at a ceremony in the second half of 2026.
The Balts’ Award of 5000 euros is annual and equal contributions are made by both Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Lithuania. The first Balts’ Award was symbolically presented in 2018 when Latvia and Lithuania celebrated their Centenaries.
The applications and Curricula Vitae of nominees from Latvia should be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia in English by e-mail to pasts@mfa.gov.lv or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, K. Valdemāra iela 3, Rīga, LV-1395 with reference to “Balts’ Award”.
The applications and Curricula Vitae of nominees from Lithuania should be submitted in English to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania by e-mail urm@urm.lt, or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, J. Tumo-Vaižganto g. 2, LT-01511, Vilnius with reference to “Balts’ Award”.
In case of any further information required, please do not hesitate to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia (pasts@mfa.gov.lv or +371 67016201) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania (urm@urm.lt or +370 63005962).