Yesterday at Vilnius City Hall, the mayor Valdas Benkunskas officially awarded the title of honorary citizen to the composer, long-time leader of the boys' and youth choir "Ąžuoliukas" Prof. Vytautas Miškinis. The highest city award is given for his exceptional contribution to the development of choral music and merits to the culture of Vilnius and Lithuania.
"The professor has said that the greatest experience of choral singing is communication and a sense of togetherness. His musical activities have become an important bridge connecting the Lithuanian and global choral communities, significantly contributing to the strengthening of Vilnius' cultural identity," says Vilnius City Mayor Valdas Benkunskas.
Maestro V. Miškinis has been the artistic director of the boys' and youth choir "Ąžuoliukas" for 45 years. He is a member of the World Choir Council, former president of the Lithuanian Choir Union, music consultant of the International Choir Federation "Europa Cantat", member of the Music for Youth Commission of the International Choral Music Federation, member of the Council of the Youth Choir Federation under the European Parliament, and teaches at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
The composer has also gained recognition abroad – the Wuhan Philharmonic (China) awarded him the title of Honorary Artistic Director, and he is an honorary member of the Japanese JCDA Association.
The title of Honorary Citizen of Vilnius is the highest award that citizens can initiate and grant to individuals for significant work for the city and Lithuania. The title has been awarded since 1996. Prof. V. Miškinis became the 22nd Honorary Citizen of Vilnius.
In recent years, the title of honorary citizen has been awarded to art historian, art critic, and writer Kristina Sabaliauskaitė, President Valdas Adamkus, professor Vytautas Landsbergis, priest and dissident Julius Sasnauskas, MO Museum founders Viktoras and Danguolė Butkai.
