Lithuanian filmmaker Lukosiuniene receives Diplomacy Star

VILNIUS - Director, producer, and screenwriter Ausra Lukosiuniene was awarded the Lithuanian Diplomacy Star on Thursday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the honorary insignia was given for her work in disseminating the history of diplomacy through cinema and visual arts, and for her contribution to preserving diplomatic heritage and shaping the contemporary image of Lithuanian diplomacy.

Lukosiuniene, who lives in Lithuania and France, explores themes of Lithuanian historical memory, identity, and culture. Her work focuses on the efforts of interwar diplomats to preserve the idea of an independent state.

The ministry said a distinctive feature of her work is the use of archival material and publicizing authentic historical documents not previously presented to the public.

The director transforms archival material into an instrument of artistic expression, strengthening the dissemination of historical memory, the image of the state, and diplomacy.

One of Lukosiuniene's most significant projects is the artistic installation Dissonances, which features prominent figures such as Petras Klimas, a signatory of the February 16 Act and ambassador, and diplomats Oskaras Milasius, Jurgis Baltrusaitis, and Antanas Liutkus.

"Your visual narratives not only present facts but also create a narrative that allows the viewer to feel the importance of diplomacy for Lithuanian statehood," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys, who presented the award.

The Lithuanian Diplomacy Star is granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to individuals promoting Lithuania abroad and fostering interstate relations. It has been awarded since 2010.