Baltic Awards 2026 Announces Nominees

The organisers of the international Baltic Awards project have announced the nominees for the 2026 awards. Candidates were nominated by leading national scientific and cultural institutions: in Estonia — the Estonian Academy of Sciences; in Latvia — the Latvian Association of Architects; and in Lithuania — the Lithuanian Neighbouring Rights Association AGATA, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Lithuanian Academy of Arts. The shortlist highlights the nominees’ outstanding professional calibre and the significant impact of their achievements across a range of fields.

The allocation of nominations among the three Baltic states was determined by an official draw held during the Baltic Awards 2025 ceremony at the Latvian National Museum of Art.

2026 Nominees:

Outstanding Contribution to Science, nominated by the Estonian Academy of Sciences: Professor Anne Kahru, Professor Maris Laan, Professor Ülo Niinemets

Outstanding Contribution to Architecture, nominated by the Latvian Association of Architects:
architectural studios ĒTER, MADE arhitekti, Lauder Architects

Outstanding Contribution to Music, nominated by the Lithuanian Neighbouring Rights Association AGATA: soprano Asmik Grigorian, conductor Modestas Pitrėnas, tenor Edgaras Montvidas

Outstanding Contribution to Art, nominated by the Lithuanian Academy of Arts:
artist duo — brothers Algirdas and Remigijus Gataveckai, artist Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė, artist Julijonas Urbonas

Special Award — Baltic Awards Opera Rising Star, nominated by the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre: ballet dancer Edvinas Jakonis, composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė, soprano Gabrielė Bukinė

On April 14, the Baltic Awards Honorary Selection Committee convened, comprising distinguished figures from across the Baltic states and Europe: former President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, former President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers, former President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Ivars Kalviņš, former Prime Minister of Estonia Taavi Rõivas, composer Pēteris Vasks, Rödl & Partner's leading partner in the Northern countries and the Baltic States Jens-Christian Pastille, Chairman of the Board of Radio SWH Jānis Šipkēvics, former economic advisor to President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga Sol Norman Bukingolts, former President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Jūras Banys, diplomat and entrepreneur Emmanuil Grinshpun, and film director, screenwriter and producer, Academy Award (Oscar), Golden Globe and Baltic Awards Grand Prix laureate Matīss Kaža. The Selection Committee is chaired by opera diva Inese Galante.

The 2026 laureates will be officially announced on May 13 at the awards ceremony at the Art Museum Rīgas Birža.

 “Baltic Awards is a strategic initiative that continues to strengthen its position and expand in scale year after year. We see it becoming an important platform for recognising outstanding achievements across the Baltic region. This year, new partners have joined us, presenting a remarkable group of nominees. The Selection Committee faces a complex task - all candidates are exceptional professionals who make a significant contribution to the development of their respective fields and shape the international image of their countries. Each nominee will be evaluated based on the significance, innovation and resonance of their contribution within both the Baltic and European context. 

Over the course of the year, we plan to stage a number of large-scale cultural events. We have many ideas and ambitions, and we continue to develop the project as an international platform that unites culture, science and society,” says Diāna Galante, General Producer of Baltic Awards.

As part of the Baltic Awards programme, a series of major cultural events will take place in Jūrmala in summer 2026.

On August 21, the Dzintari Concert Hall will host the Latvian premiere of the iconic production Teatro Delusio by the internationally renowned German theatre company Familie Flöz. This refined and remarkably witty performance, staged more than 600 times and seen in 29 countries worldwide, transforms the stage into a truly magical theatrical universe. Without a single word — using only masks, movement and physical theatre — the performers create more than 30 expressive characters in which audiences easily recognise themselves, their emotions and real-life experiences. The production aligns closely with the concept of the Baltic Awards project, offering an ironic and precise reflection on the behind-the-scenes world of a professional career — a world where ideas are born, doubts are overcome and achievements are realised.

On August 22, the Dzintari Concert Hall will host the gala concert “GALA GALANTE. Viva La Musica!”, dedicated to the award laureates. The concert will feature internationally acclaimed artists: Italian tenor Giorgio Berrugi, named by Plácido Domingo as his artistic successor; charismatic Ukrainian tenor Dmytro Popov; Elina Nechayeva (Estonia), a vibrant soprano with a wide vocal range; outstanding pianist Andrejs Osokins (Latvia); the dynamic and acclaimed NICO Ensemble (Lithuania) and its founder and artistic director Gediminas Gelgotas; as well as two of the most prominent young vocalists — a rising soprano Annija Kristiāna Ādamsone (Latvia) and expressive bass Edgars Ošleja (Latvia); and 12-year-old piano prodigy Gustavs Kalējs (Latvia). The concert will be conducted by renowned conductor Ekhart Wycik (Germany). The artists will be brought together on stage by opera diva and initiator of the Baltic Awards project Inese Galante (Latvia).

The gala concert, dedicated to outstanding achievements of the Baltic states in science, architecture, art and music, will bring together distinguished guests from around the world — the 2026 Baltic Awards laureates, members of the Selection Committee, representatives of partner organisations from Lithuania, Estonia and other European countries, as well as specially invited guests.

Additional Information:
www.balticawards.com
https://www.facebook.com/baltijasbalva
https://www.instagram.com/baltic.awards/

Project Founder and Producer: Inese Galante Foundation

Project Partners:
Jūrmala City Council, Rödl & Partner, SIA Tilts, Porsche, Riga Airport (RIX), Latvian National Museum of Art (LNMM), Embassy of Estonia in Latvia, Embassy of Lithuania in Latvia, piano.lv

Media Partners:
Radio SWH, Pastaiga, LILIT, ReTV, ELLE