About Vilkaviškis
Citizens of Honor
Honorary citizens of Vilkaviškis district

WINFRID GORTZ

GABRIELĖ KARALIENĖ
REINERT KERSTEN

KAZIMIERAS NOREIKA
Kazimieras Noreika was born in 1926. Kybartai, Vilkaviškis district. He later lived in Germany for a long time. Even when he went abroad, he never forgot his native land, his people: he had been visiting his homeland for many years, constantly providing material assistance to the poor, and carrying many different kinds of charity. The honorary citizen of Vilkaviškis district has been awarded for outstanding merits in the development of national self-awareness and patriotism, charity activities and fostering of culture.
Kazimieras Noreika died in 2004 September 20.

MAGDALENA BIRUTĖ STANKŪNIENĖ

STASYS ANKEVIČIUS
Stasys Ankevičius was born in 1905. In Stanaičiai village, Vilkaviškis county. There was an orchestra who played the first violin, a bystander, an amateur. He worked as an educator and helped young people and farmers. 1941 was arrested and deported to Siberia. He returned to Lithuania in 1956. Dr. V. Kudirka organized a barn and opened a museum in his homeland. Became his custodian. Stasys Ankevičius is a true cultural enlightener. We regard him as a uniqueness of culture, a champion of the ideas of Vincas Kudirka, who lived the ideals of the National anthem and the Lithuanian national anthem.
Stasys Ankevičius died in 2002 May 11.

VYTAUTAS GUSTAITIS

EGON MUTTERSBACH
Egon Muttersbach was born in 1923. Paramoniškės village, Vilkaviškis district. Since 1958 lived in Germany. He returned to his homeland in 1992. This time he brought a huge van to charity. From that time on
Mr Muttersbach returned every year with gifts to his homeland. He communicated a lot with Vilkaviškis Hospital, brought various medicines and nursing supplies. The charity was transported not only to the hospital, but also to Caritas, the disabled, to individual families.
Egon Muttersbach died in 2003 December 24.

KAZYS KARUŽA
Kazys Karuža was born in 1908. 1944 moved to live in the US, but kept returning to his homeland, taking care of the memory of the countrymen, the Riflemen’s Organization, and published several books. He sent many museum treasures to the Vilkaviškis Regional Museum, supported the restoration of the Cathedral, monuments and Lithuanians studying abroad. 2002 By the decree of the President of the Republic of Lithuania K. Karuža was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, for the historical values of the museum and for the continuous support of the shooters.
Kazys Karuža died in 2005 October 22.

BERNHARD HEYING

HINNE RIJPMA

HEINRICH HOLLEKAMP

GERHARD JOSEF CARL

KAZYS BRADŪNAS
Kazys Bradūnas was born in 1917. Kiršai village, Vilkaviškis district. 1944 In 1949 he left for Germany. – to the United States. He has edited periodicals, published books, written numerous articles on literature, art, culture, and reviews. After Lithuania regained its independence, K. Bradūnas returned to his homeland. An important place in the poet’s work is dedicated to Vilkaviškis region. For his creative work he was awarded the Order of Gediminas IV degree. The title of Honorary Citizen of Vilkaviškis District was awarded for literary activities and merits to the culture of Lithuania and Vilkaviškis Region.
Kazys Bradūnas died in 2009 February 9.

ALGIRDAS BUTKEVIČIUS

ALFONSAS HOPINGAS
Alphonse Hoping, who lives in Astrup, Oldenburg, Germany, first came to the village of Alvitas in Vilkaviškis in 1996. At that time, Alvitas Parish had reclaimed the building of the old parsonage, where the idea was to build an orphanage, with a special focus on children’s spirituality. The idea was welcomed by the guests, so in 1997 a partnership agreement was signed with Caritas Germany and a special foundation founded by Alfonso Hoping. Alphonse Hoping visits the delegation every year with Alvite, bringing clothes and other support. Alfonsas Hoping has been awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Vilkaviškis District for his significant contribution and charitable work in helping the people of the district.

ANTANAS ZIEGORAITIS
Antanas Ziegoraitis was born in 1948. Since 1967 he was the artistic director of Kybartai Brass Band in Kybartai Cultural Center. Since 1994 – Kybartai K. Donelaitis gymnasium music teacher-expert. 1991-2009 – Chief of pupils and World Lithuanian Song Festivals conductor. His concern was to reconstruct brass bands in Virbal and Vištytis schools. He has regularly held educational or concert programs with professional performers. A. Ziegoraitis was awarded the medal of Gediminas Order of the GDL. The honorary citizen of Vilkaviškis district has been awarded for cultural activities while promoting the traditions of the wind genre.
Antanas Ziegoraitis passed away in 2014 October 24

JONAS MAČYS
Jonas Mačys was born in 1938 Igliškėliai village, Marijampolė district. 1978-1990
J. Mačys was a senior researcher at the Rumiquok Test Station. In 1980 he was awarded the title of Doctor of Agricultural Sciences. In 1988 he joined the Sąjūdis and was elected Chairman of the Sąjūdis in Vilkaviškis district. From 1990 to 1992 he was a deputy of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania. In 1995–2003 he was elected a member of Vilkaviškis District Municipality Council, in 1995–1997 and 1997–2000 he was elected Mayor of Vilkaviškis District Municipality. Mr Mačys based his activities on high moral principles. In 2000 he was awarded the Lithuanian Independence Medal.
Jonas Mačys died in 2012 October 10.

JUOZAS IEŠMANTAVIČIUS
Juozas Iešmantavičius was born in 1941. Beautiful. For many years he managed the company “Kybartų gelžbetonis”. J. Iešmantavičius was an active political and public figure in Lithuania and Vilkaviškis district municipality, he has been involved in self-government since 1965. He has been praised many times for his outstanding contribution and merit in working and serving the people of Kybartai city and the entire district. became Knight of the Profession. This title was given to him by the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists for his many years of work, loyalty to his profession and active public life. Numerous awards and thanks were given for their sincere help and support, for their consistent work and results, and for their support for sports and youth activities.
Juozas Iešmantavičius died in 2013 September 26.

RALPH HERBERT LEWIS SALINGER
Ralph Herbert Lewis Salinger was born in 1946 in London. Since 2004 she has been researching Vilkaviškis Jewish history. R.H.L. Salinger has made a huge contribution to the history of Vilkaviškis and to the development of relations between Lithuania and Israel. Thanks to it, the Cultural Center-Museum was supplemented with unique historical material, which revealed the unknown historical facts of Vilkaviškis city. He raised funds for the publication of a book on Jewish cultural heritage in English, “The Footprints of the Lost Nation”, which spread throughout the world to Vilkaviskis Jewish diasporas. Two commemorative stands have been set up in Vilkaviškis on the site of the Jewish Holocaust by R. H. L. Salinger.

DONATAS KAZLAUSKAS
Donatas Kazlauskas was born in 1958. Marijampole district In the village of Trakiškės. 1980 Graduated from Vilnius State Pedagogical Institute, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, where he acquired the specialty of mathematics teacher. In 1992 after the establishment of UAB “Olifėja” he became the Deputy General Manager of this company. Kazlauskas is indifferent to his country. He donated a fire truck to the Vištytis fire brigade, contributed to the renovation of the fire station, and thanks to his financial support, repaired the roof of the Vištytis Catholic Church, and financed a private purchase of Vištytis Mill. Since 2006 is one of the main sponsors of Vištytis P. Kriaučiūnas School-Multifunctional Center. For several years in a row, he has been financially supporting the Vištytis Summer Festival, organizing and financing the arrival of professional art groups on campus.
