Edvinas Jakonis, principal dancer of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (LNOBT), has become the winner of the international awards "Baltic Awards 2026" in the "Opera Rising Star" category.
"This award is important for the entire Lithuanian ballet community. It confirms that purposeful work, talent and daily professionalism are visible and appreciated in an international context. LNOBT strives to be a space where a new generation of performers grows, capable of boldly and modernly representing Lithuanian culture in the world. We are pleased with E. Jakonis's professional path and wish him many more memorable roles and creative peaks," – says Laima Vilimienė, General Manager of LNOBT.
This special prize is awarded to young Baltic artists who stand out for their professional excellence, stage potential, and rapidly growing recognition in the international art scene.
"I am happy to contribute to the development of art in the Baltic States. It is a great honour and responsibility for me to represent Lithuanian ballet and the culture of our region on the international art scene. Drawing on our historical experiences and cultural contexts, we are creating a unique artistic identity for the Baltic States. This award not only inspires me to continue creating, but also strengthens the feeling that I am on the right path," – says E. Jakonis, winner of the "Opera Rising Star" category in the "Baltic Awards 2026".
In recent years, E. Jakonis has become one of the most prominent soloists of the young generation within LNOBT’s ballet company. This season, the artist created main roles in the performances of "Le Parc", "Giselle", "Coppelia" and other productions of the theatre’s repertoire. In 2026, the dancer was also awarded the "Golden Cross of the Stage" for the role of Nathanael in the ballet "Coppelia" by choreographer Martynas Rimeikis.
“The Baltic Awards” is an international initiative that unites the cultural, artistic and scientific communities of the Baltic States.
In the special "Opera Rising Star" category, composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė and soprano Gabrielė Bukinė were nominated together with E. Jakonis.
