The Golden Stage Cross ( lt, Auksinis scenos kryžius, ASK) is the annual highest award for theatre in
Lithuania
Lithuania (; lt, Lietuva ), officially the Republic of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Respublika, links=no ), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania ...
. It is awarded on the
World Theatre Day
World Theatre Day (WTD) is an international observance celebrated on 27 March. It was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute.
Initiation
World Theatre Day was initiated in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI). It ...
(March 27) usually for theatrical works performed during the previous year, but also as a lifetime achievement award.
[ĮSAKYMAS DĖL PROFESIONALIOJO SCENOS MENO PREMIJŲ ĮSTEIGIMO IR PROFESIONALIOJO SCENOS MENO PREMIJŲ SKYRIMO NUOSTATŲ PATVIRTINIMO]
''Valstybės žinios'', 2008-11-20, Nr. 133-5151
Initially the theatre award was established in 1992. During 1995-2002 it consisted of a statuette of
St. Christopher
Saint Christopher ( el, Ἅγιος Χριστόφορος, ''Ágios Christóphoros'') is venerated by several Christian denominations as a martyr killed in the reign of the 3rd-century Roman emperor Decius (reigned 249–251) or alternatively u ...
and known as the "Kristoforas" award. Since 2002 it was supplemented by a small cash prize.
The Golden Stage Cross was established by the Decree of the
Ministry of Culture of Lithuania on November 13, 2008. The award includes a commemorative pendant, the "Golden Stage Cross" and a monetary award in the amount of 55 "basic social benefits" (2,530 EUR in 2022). At most 17 awards are to be issued annually.
[ It was preceded by several other Lithuanian theatre awards.
Since the establishment the award produced several controversies related to its criteria.][Aušra Kaminskaite]
"Aušra Kaminskaitė. Apdovanojimai – jūsų paslaugoms"
lrt.lt, February 2, 2021
References
{{reflist
Theatre awards
Lithuanian awards
Theatre in Lithuania
2008 establishments in Lithuania
Awards established in 2008