VMU Prof. Levandauskas Awarded by the President of Lithuania

Photo source: Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania / Robertas Dačkus

On the occasion of July 6th – Statehood Day (coronation of King Mindaugas of Lithuania) and National Anthem Day – the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, awarded state orders and medals to Lithuanian and foreign nationals for their merits to the Republic of Lithuania and for promoting its name worldwide. Among the awardees was Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Faculty of Arts Professor Vytautas Levandauskas, an architectural historian and art historian.

Prof. Levandauskas was awarded the Cross of the Knight of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas for his long-standing, top-level research in architecture, his significant contribution to the creation and development of unique integrated studies in the History and Theory of Arts, and his efforts in training a new generation of scholars.

“Such an honourable award shows that you are not working in vain, and that your research and work, as well as the books published, are important and needed by the state and its people,” said Prof. Levandauskas.

Photo source: Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania / Robertas Dačkus

Prof. Levandauskas has been working at Vytautas Magnus University since 1991. From 1997 to 2000, he was the Head of the Department of Art History and Criticism at the VMU Faculty of Arts, and served as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts from 2000 to 2002 and again from 2008 to 2010. Between 2005 and 2015, he was the Editor-in-Chief and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the periodic scientific publication “Art History and Criticism.” In 2015, the professor was awarded the Lithuanian Science Prize, and in 2023, he received the Kaunas City Science Award.

Prof. Levandauskas has authored or co-authored numerous fundamental works, monographs and books on architectural history. He has published over 200 articles on architectural history, heritage conservation, and other topics in scientific, encyclopedic, and periodic publications.

On the occasion of Statehood Day, awards were presented to 63 representatives of science, education, and culture, as well as community and civic initiative advocates, ambassadors, and public officials who have made significant contributions to Lithuania.