At the Baltic Assembly awards ceremony on October 22nd, the winners of the Baltic Assembly Prizes for Literature, Arts and Science, as well as the Baltic Innovation Prize were handed their awards.
Baltic Assembly medals were awarded to public figures who promote cooperation between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and their like-minded partners.
In his speech at the ceremony held at the Estonian Statehood House, President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov said that this evening was dedicated to celebrating outstanding achievements in literature, the arts, and science.
“We are also celebrating what unites these achievements – the people, ideas, and shared values that bring our nations closer to each other. Tonight is also meant to celebrate the creativity, knowledge, and dedication that make our region stronger,” Suslov said. “You have helped bring our societies closer together, strengthen our shared identity, and make the Baltic voice heard beyond our borders. Your achievements remind us that the strength of the Baltic region lies not only in what we have in common, but also in what we build together.”
In his address, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar congratulated the winners of the prizes and noted that while Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania spoke different languages, they all understood masterful achievements.
“The Baltic Assembly prizes have been with us for more than 30 years, and the Innovation Prize for 15 years. Their idea remains as relevant as it has always been. In a world full of geopolitical uncertainty and security concerns, culture and creativity are not luxuries; they help us keep our minds clear and our values firmly in place,” Hussar said.
This year’s BA Prize for the Arts was awarded to Estonian jewellery and video artist Darja Popolitova. The 2026 Baltic Assembly Prize for Literature was awarded to Latvian poet Kārlis Vērdiņš and translator Valts Ernštreits for the collection of poems “Lībiešu balādes/Līvõd balādõd”, (Livonian Ballads). The Prize for Science was awarded to Lithuanian researcher in the field of comparative historical sociology Zenonas Norkus for his two research monographs on post-communist transformation. The Prize consists of a monetary prize, a certificate and a statuette.
The Baltic Assembly Innovation Prize was awarded to the Estonian medical technology company Nanordica Medical OÜ. This company, founded by scientists and medical experts, combines nanotechnology and materials science to resolve problems related to infected and slow-healing wounds.
At the ceremony, the medals of the Baltic Assembly were also presented – several of them to their own members and officials.
The BA medals are awarded for promoting the cooperation between the Baltic States and their like-minded partners. The medals were awarded to entrepreneur Taavet Hinrikus, art historian and former Director of the Latvian National Museum of Art Māra Lāce, Chief of the State Border Guard of Latvia General Guntis Pujāts, folklorist Ingrid Rüütel, entrepreneur Jurga Žilinskienė, President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and President of the Baltic Assembly, Head of the Estonian Delegation to the BA Timo Suslov.
The Baltic Assembly has been awarding the Prizes in literature, the arts, and science since 1994. The aim of the prizes is to promote the development of these fields in the Baltic States. The Prize consists of a monetary prize, a certificate and a statuette.
On Friday, the representatives and the Speakers of the Baltic parliaments (hopefully wearing their newly awarded medals), and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic States will come together in the Riigikogu for the 45th Session of the Baltic Assembly and the 32nd Baltic Council.
Seen a mistake?
Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor
Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor