The Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, and the National Museum of Lithuania have announced the winner of the “Flag for the School” competition. The Lithuanian national flag that flew atop Gediminas Tower in 2025 will be entrusted to Vinco Kudirkos Gymnasium in Kudirkos Naumiestis.

This year, the competition was held under updated rules – all residents of the country were able to vote for the creative tasks submitted by schools. Voting took place on the news portal Delfi, and the initiative received as many as 7,228 votes. This showed that the public truly cares about which school will be entrusted with the honorable role of safeguarding the flag.

“This year’s competition participants were exceptionally strong. Their initiatives stand out for their continuity, creativity, and real impact on their communities. We are seeing a clear trend: civic engagement in schools is becoming not only a highlight of celebrations but also part of everyday life. It is especially gratifying that this year we made the decision together with the public – active voting shows people’s involvement and concern for the values nurtured by schools,” said the chairman of the commission, Vice Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas.

According to the Vice Minister, this year’s applications once again showed that the greatest impact on civic education is made by consistent, long-term activities rather than individual or occasion-specific initiatives.

The competition commission consisted of representatives from the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, and the National Museum of Lithuania.

Vinco Kudirkos Gymnasium in Kudirkos Naumiestis distinguished itself with purposeful, consistent work in which civic engagement is an integral part of the school’s identity. Local history is cherished here, community ties are strengthened, and modern initiatives encourage students to explore topics of freedom, responsibility, state development, and contemporary security.

The school closely cooperates with the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, and various non-governmental organizations. The student club “Kudirkiečiai” and other youth initiatives promoting civic activity are active. The school’s perseverance was also recognized – it has participated in the competition for two consecutive years and in 2024 was commended for significant civic activities.

A total of 31 schools from different regions of the country competed for the right to safeguard the flag from Gediminas Tower this year. According to the commission, the applications revealed a broad and inspiring spectrum of civic initiatives, making it truly challenging to select a winner.

The tricolour that flew atop Gediminas Tower in 2025 will be ceremonially lowered and handed over to Vinco Kudirkos Gymnasium on 1 January 2026, in commemoration of Flag Day. For purposeful and creative activity, five additional schools will also be awarded special prizes: KTU Vaižgantas Progymnasium, Elektrėnai Vocational Training Centre, Vilnius Vyčio Gymnasium, Lukšiai Vincas Grybas Gymnasium in Šakiai District, and Vilnius Antakalnis Gymnasium. It is also worth noting the very high number of votes cast by school communities and the public on the Delfi portal, where the TOP 3 schools were:

Vilnius Antakalnis Gymnasium with 1,279 votes

Jašiūnai Aušra Gymnasium in Šalčininkai District with 999 votes

Nemakščiai Martynas Mažvydas Gymnasium in Raseiniai District with 884 votes

The initiative to entrust a school with safeguarding the Lithuanian tricolour from Gediminas Tower was launched in 2005, aiming to honor and encourage schools actively involved in fostering civic consciousness, social and civic engagement among children and youth, and promoting knowledge of the country’s history, culture, and the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Until 2005, the flag had been entrusted to the National Museum of Lithuania.

The Lithuanian tricolour was first raised atop Gediminas Tower on 1 January 1919 by a group of Lithuanian volunteers. Although the flag did not fly for long at that time, it became an important symbol of statehood and an emblem of nonviolent resistance during periods of occupation. During the restoration of independence, the tricolour united participants of the Awakening and Sąjūdis movements, and on 26 June 1991 its status was enshrined in the “Law on the State Flag of Lithuania.”

Photo by Alfredas Pliadis / Ministry of National Defence