Seimas awarded Irena Degutienė and Felicija Nijolė Sadūnaitė with Aleksandras Stulginskis Star

Press release, 16 May 2024 
 

At the Seimas sitting, Aleksandras Stulginskis Star was awarded to Irena Degutienė, a long-standing Member and former Speaker of the Seimas, and posthumously to Felicija Nijolė Sadūnaitė, a revered champion of democracy, dissident and esteemed nun.

Ms Degutienė was awarded for her contribution to strengthening parliamentary democracy and Lithuanian statehood, promoting political dialogue and fostering political culture, achieving successful international and inter-parliamentary cooperation, and preserving parliamentary traditions and the historical memory of Lithuania.

Ms Sadūnaitė was awarded for her significant contribution to the fight for Lithuania’s statehood and democracy, unbreakable courage, and her unwavering commitment to defending human dignity, personal freedom, freedom of conscience, and freedom of religion, as well as freedom of her Homeland. She was also recognised for promoting civil harmony and patriotism, as well as her perseverance in rallying the global democratic community to support Lithuania’s independence.

Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, who spoke about the winners at the ceremony, noted that Ms Degutienė, a long-serving Member and former Speaker of the Seimas, was an exemplary politician who, while seeking consensus among diverse political forces in the Seimas, was capable of finding necessary and sustainable solutions despite difficult circumstances. ‘Ms Degutienė has always remained sensitive and humane in her interactions, whether communicating with like-minded colleagues, political opponents, or explaining political decisions to the general public,’ the Speaker of the Seimas said.

Reflecting on Ms Degutienė’s historical role as the first woman to hold the position of the Speaker of the Seimas in the history of Lithuania, Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen stated that Degutienė was undoubtedly an example of a successful politician who inspired many women to pursue careers in policy-making and encouraged them to take on political responsibilities more boldly.

Speaking about the second awardee, Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen said that Felicija Nijolė Sadūnaitė, as a nun, defender of the rights of believers, and former political prisoner, embodied an uncompromising struggle for the consolidation of statehood, inspiring the younger generation through her personal example.

Paulius Saudargas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, emphasised at the award ceremony that Felicija Nijolė Sadūnaitė left no one indifferent with her choices, owing to the strength of her Christian love and her determined actions. ‘Ms Sadūnaitė was like a real-life superhero, invincible and unbreakable, akin to Chuck Norris, but in real life. With a sincere smile, she looked the enemies straight in the eye. She did not see the representatives of the system as enemies, sincerely felt sorry for the perpetrators, and even comforted them on their erroneous path,’ Mr Saudargas said. According to him, Sister Sadūnaitė was unique in her spiritual qualities, which far surpass the usual standard.

Antanas Vinkus, Chair of the Commission for Awarding the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star, expressed his hope that honouring the bright memory of Sister Sadūnaitė by posthumously awarding her the Seimas award and presenting it to her brother, Jonas Aloyzas Sadūnas, would serve as a symbolic and profoundly meaningful tribute to her memory.

Ms Degutienė, winner of Aleksandras Stulginskis Star, thanked the Seimas for the award and expressed her acceptance of it as a sign of appreciation of the work she accomplished in cooperation with many visible and invisible like-minded people. Additionally, she regarded it as a reminder that we are never alone on the path of history.

She went on to say she was honoured to be awarded the Star alongside Sister Sadūnaitė. ‘Sister Sadūnaitė was for us a living symbol of freedom and non-conformity, an example of integrity and honesty,’ Ms Degutienė said.

Marija Sadūnaitė, the niece who received the award on behalf of the late Felicija Nijolė Sadūnaitė, remarked that we all carry memories of the laureate’s life, work, achievements, and her spoken words. She recalled her aunt’s words, which were reiterated in her closing speech in court and repeated often throughout her life: ‘Nothing can be more important in life than love for people, their freedom, and their dignity. After all, love for people is the greatest love of all, and the struggle for human rights is the most beautiful song of love (…). Let us love one another, and we will find happiness.’

The Aleksandras Stulginskis Star award of the Seimas was established by the Lithuanian Parliament to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Constituent Seimas and the Republic of Lithuania. The award pays tribute to the prominent personality of Aleksandras Stulginskis and is designed as a sign of appreciation for the achievements and contributions of Lithuanian and foreign natural and legal persons in promoting the parliamentary tradition, democracy, and statehood.

Last year, Aleksandras Stulginskis Star award was presented to Česlovas Juršėnas, former Speaker of the Seimas and Signatory to the Act of Independence, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The first winners of Alexander Stulginskis Star in 2022 were President Valdas Adamkus and US Senator Richard Joseph Durbin.

Rimas Rudaitis, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 209 6132, e-mail: [email protected]