A year ago, when journalist and public figure Rita Miliūtė received the Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius Gold Medal for her contribution to strengthening the state, she joked while accepting it: “I can’t promise I won’t sell it.” For R. Miliūtė, the value of the medal was not a personal recognition but an opportunity to do more where help is most needed today. Half a year later, she kept her word – she put the medal up for auction and donated the entire amount collected – nearly 30,000 euros – to Ukrainian soldiers.

However, the businessman Martynas Stanionis, who transferred the largest amount, had no intention of taking possession of the medal either. In the payment description, he left a short message: “I hope the medal stays with you. Su.”

Today, the medal was handed from Rita Miliūtė to Martynas Stanionis, and at that very moment he gifted it to the public – he donated the award to the National Museum of Lithuania. This joint decision shows that support for Ukraine is provided not for medals or honor, but out of civic responsibility.

“I wish every one of us could be like Martynas, like all those who took part in this symbolic auction, and do as much as they can for Ukraine’s fight for freedom. I am glad that this medal will now be placed in a museum. In that way it will bear witness to the support of the Lithuanian people,” said R. Miliūtė as she handed over the medal, emphasizing that today its value is measured not in gold or silver, but in how much essential support it helped provide to Ukrainian soldiers.

M. Stanionis said he decided to participate in the auction not to acquire the award, but to show respect to those who work daily for Ukraine’s security and who tirelessly mobilize support.

“It really matters to me that the medal tells a story. And that this story reaches those who still hesitate to support Ukraine. This is not competition and not a contest. It is our shared responsibility. If we don’t help Ukraine today, tomorrow we may be the ones who need help – and what will we do if no one wants to help us? Ukraine today is fighting not only for its own land, but also for our safety, for making sure war does not reach Lithuania. Therefore, supporting Ukraine now means defending our own homes in advance,” said M. Stanionis.

A symbol that encourages decisiveness

Accepting the medal, the director-general of the National Museum of Lithuania, Rūta Kačkutė, emphasized that the initiative of journalist Rita Miliūtė and the decision made by businessman Martynas Stanionis today give meaning to a new chapter in the story of civic behavior.

“This medal becomes an important part of contemporary history. It testifies to a societal stance in which people choose to act out of conviction rather than for recognition. The museum must preserve these gestures so that future generations can see what values were most important to Lithuania at this historic moment and so that it bears witness to our shared responsibility for the security of our region,” said R. Kačkutė.

The National Museum of Lithuania continues actively collecting objects that testify to the history of the war in Ukraine: commemorative symbols, numismatics, philately, and awards from Ukrainian institutions. These exhibits speak of the solidarity, resilience, and faith of the Lithuanian people that Ukraine’s victory is also the foundation of our own security.

The National Museum of Lithuania – the largest repository of history and cultural heritage – preserves more than one and a half million exhibits and unites twelve divisions.

Photo by Silvestras Samsonas, LNM