Published: 20241223
At the Potocki Palace in Lviv, Ukraine, historian and Director-General of the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Dr Vydas Dolinskas, was presented with the prestigious Order for Intellectual Courage, an award bestowed by the independent cultural journal Ï.
Dr Dolinskas received this honour for his tireless efforts in restoring the shared cultural landscape of Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. This marks the 25th year that these awards have been presented in recognition of Ukraine’s cultural achievements. The Order for Intellectual Courage is traditionally awarded to distinguished intellectuals, cultural figures, scientists, politicians, public figures, and religious leaders from Ukraine and abroad. Past recipients include Patriarch Filaret of the Orthodox Church of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Mustafa Dzhemilev, leader of the Mejlis (Parliament) of the Crimean Tatars, political scientist Andrey Piontkovsky, Professor Borys Gudziak, Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University in the United States, American historian Professor Timothy D. Snyder, Director of Wawel Royal Castle in Kraków Professor Andrzej Betlej, Lithuanian historian Professor Alvydas Nikžentaitis, and many others.
Dr Dolinskas stated that he accepted the award as a tribute to the entire museum community. He also emphasised the value of his long-standing and friendly relations with the Borys Voznytskyi National Art Gallery and the Lviv Historical Museum: I extend my gratitude to Directors Mr Taras Vozniak and Mr Roman Chmelik, as well as their museum communities. As we often say, together we can achieve anything. At this moment, we are preparing a joint exhibition dedicated to the heritage of Pidhirtsi Castle, which will open at the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius at the beginning of next year. I also express my gratitude to Ukraine for its past exhibitions, which have allowed the people of Lithuania and visitors to Vilnius to admire the dramatic sculptures of Pinzel, some of the most valuable masterpieces of European painting, and portraits of the nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. As Taras Vozniak often says, we must consistently carry out museum projects to defy the enemy’s rage. This is our front line.
Dr Dolinskas also reminded the audience that Lithuania has previously experienced Russian aggression and has long supported Ukraine’s defence: In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania defended Ukrainian lands against eastern barbarians. Now, we express our deepest gratitude to the brave Ukrainian nation, which is defending not only its freedom but also that of Lithuania, Europe, and the entire world against the eastern hordes. We bow in respect and share your deep sorrow for these immense losses. Whenever we visit Lviv, our first stop is the Mars Field at Lychakiv Cemetery.
Lithuanian-Ukrainian Museum Cooperation Intensifies Following Russia’s Invasion
The National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania has on several occasions borrowed exhibits from Ukrainian cultural institutions and museums for international exhibitions in Lithuania. It has also sent items from its collection for temporary exhibitions in Ukraine, with museum specialists sharing their expertise. Professional connections with Ukrainian museum professionals date back more than 20 years, even before the establishment of the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. In 2012, it hosted its first major exhibition featuring items from Lviv and Lutsk museums: Portraits of Rulers and Nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from Ukrainian Museums.
On 16 February 2022, as Lithuania celebrated the anniversary of its independence restoration—just one week before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—the museum opened the international exhibition The Mystery of Baroque Sculpture: Johann Georg Pinzel and Other 18th-Century Lviv Masters. This exhibition showcased the unique late Baroque sculptural tradition that flourished in historical Halych and neighbouring regions of western Ukraine. As Russian forces began targeting cultural buildings, the museum, in collaboration with Ukrainian and Polish museum colleagues, sought a temporary safe location for these invaluable artworks to protect them from potential destruction. These sculptures were later exhibited in Latvia and Poland.
Immediately after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the museum opened an exhibition in its Visitor Hall, displaying rare early Ukrainian state orders. Journalist and faleristics researcher Vilius Kavaliauskas loaned these early 20th-century Ukrainian state decorations to the exhibition, enabling visitors to learn about the origins of modern Ukraine’s independence—an independence Russia still seeks to erase.
A year later, in February 2023, Ukraine sent another exhibition to Lithuania Lviv Welcomes Vilnius – Masterpieces of European Painting from the Borys Voznytskyi National Art Gallery in Lviv. In honour of Vilnius’ 700th anniversary, war-torn Ukraine offered Lithuania an exhibition featuring 33 masterpieces of European painting from Lviv’s Potocki and Lozynski Palaces. These paintings, safeguarded against missile strikes and assaults, had previously adorned Lviv’s permanent exhibitions. They were transported to Lithuania under challenging conditions, with the hope that, within a NATO country, this invaluable collection would remain safe from attack. After being displayed in Vilnius, the exhibition travelled to Warsaw.
Ukrainian museum professionals have frequently visited the museum. Amidst the ongoing war, the museum has temporarily provided them with opportunities to step away from the dangers at home. Ukrainian specialists have also advised their Lithuanian colleagues on the evacuation of exhibits in times of war. In support of Ukrainian museums, the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania has donated packaging materials, and the museum’s community has repeatedly organised fundraising efforts to assist their colleagues in Lviv. In 2025, a specialised seminar for Ukrainian and Lithuanian museum professionals is planned alongside an exhibition dedicated to the history and heritage of Pidhirtsi Castle.
