Order of Vytautas the Great

The Order of Vytautas the Great is the Lithuanian Presidential Award^[1]. It may be conferred on the heads of Lithuania and foreign states, as well as their citizens, for distinguished services to the State of Lithuania.

History

The Order was instituted in 1930 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas the Great. The badge of the Order, struck in pre-war Lithuania, was designed by a Lithuanian artist, Jonas Burba. The insignia of the Order issued today are of the same design.

Classes

The Order of Vytautas the Great has five classes:

1. Grand Cross
2. Commander's Grand Cross
3. Commander's Cross
4. Officer's Cross
5. Knight's Cross
Special class of this insignia - the Order of Vytautas the Great with the Golden Chain.

Grand Cross

The insignia of the Grand Cross consists of the Grand Cross, Star and sash. The Grand Cross is 50mm wide. It is made from gold and covered with white enamel. On the front of the Cross a rider is depicted against a background of a red shield. The same shield, with a V (to signify the name Vytautas) in the middle is on the reverse of the Cross. Above the shield is the Grand Crown of the Duke. On the edges of the Cross are the dates of Vytautas the Great's rule (1392–1430). The reverse of the Cross features a golden Royal Crown embellished with three crystal stones.

The Star measures 85mm, and is made from gold. It has nine sides. In the centre, a smaller version of the Vytautas the Great Cross with a golden Crown above is depicted on a background of blue enamel.

The Order's sash is made from white moiré and is 100mm wide for men, 65mm for women. It features two smaller orange strips on the sides.

The Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia were the first foreigners to receive the Order in 1995, during the official visit of the President of Lithuania to Sweden.

Commander's Grand Cross

The Commander's Grand Cross insignia consists of the Grand Cross, Star and Ribbon. The Grand Cross has most of the same features as above. The Order's ribbon is made from white moiré with two orange stripes, and is 40mm wide for men and women.

The Order's Star measures 85mm and has nine sides. It is made from gold. In the centre, there is a smaller version of the Vytautas the Great Cross with a golden Crown, on black enamel.

Commander's Cross

The Commander's Cross consists of a Cross and Ribbon. It is similar to the Grand Cross.

Officer's Cross

The Officer's Cross consists of a Cross and small Ribbon. It is similar to the Grand Cross, but smaller at 42mm. The Ribbon is 32mm wide and made from white moiré.

Knight's Cross

The Knight's Cross consists of a Cross and small Ribbon, similar to the Officer's Cross.

Order of Vytautas the Great with the Golden Chain

Set of Order with Golden Chain: Golden Chain and Order, Star, Cross (badge)

This special class of Order is the highest award of the State of Lithuania.^[2] It consists of a golden chain, cross, star and sash.

Parts of the Golden Chain form a double (six angle) cross, graced with a stylized V. Both edges of the Chain are linked by the central part, whose form and ornaments are taken from the seal of Vytautas the Great. The bear represents Smolensk, the horseman represents Vilnius, the warrior represents Trakai and the cross represents Volyn.

Recipients of the Order of Vytautas the Great with the Golden Chain

• President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, decorated on 26 February 2003
• President of Lithuania, Algirdas Brazauskas, decorated on 3 February 2003
• President of Lithuania, Rolandas Paksas, decorated on 25 February 2003
• Chairman of the Supreme Council of Lithuania, Vytautas Landsbergis, decorated on 3 February 2003
• President of Estonia, Arnold Rüütel, decorated on 30 September 2004
• President of Germany, Horst Köhler, decorated on 19 October 2005
• President of Poland, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, decorated on 2 November 2005
• President of Hungary, László Sólyom, decorated on 7 September 2006
• President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, decorated on 14 November 2006
• King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, decorated on 1 June 2005
• King of Belgium, Albert II, decorated on 16 March 2006
• Queen of 16 states, Elizabeth II, decorated on 17 October 2006
• Emperor of Japan, Akihito, decorated on 22 May 2007
• Queen of Netherlands, Beatrix of the Netherlands, decorated on 24 June 2008
• President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, decorated on 12 July 2009
• Former President of Poland, Lech Wałęsa rejected this award on September 6 2011 as a result of constant discrimination on the part of the Lithuanian government towards its Polish minority.^[3]

References

1. ^ Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucija. 84 straipsnis. Priimta 1992
2. ^ Lietuvos Respublikos Seimas. Valstybės apdovanojimų įstatymas. Antras skyrius-Vytauto Didžiojo Ordino statusas. 2002
3. ^ http://tvp.info/informacje/polska/walesa-odmawia-litwinom-z-powodu-polonii/5214828 (in Polish)