Lithuanian Culture Minister Ignotas Adomavičius Resigns Amid Widespread Protests

Appointment Sparks 'Cultural Revolt'

Ignotas Adomavičius was appointed as Lithuania's Minister of Culture on September 25, 2025, an appointment that immediately triggered widespread discontent across the country's cultural sector. Protests, collectively referred to as the 'Cultural Revolt,' erupted in response to his nomination by the 'Dawn of Nemunas' party. Critics voiced concerns over Adomavičius's perceived lack of experience and competence in the cultural field, as well as the controversial political affiliations of his nominating party.

On September 25, 2025, approximately 1,000 people gathered to protest near the presidential palace in Vilnius. Similar demonstrations were reported in other major Lithuanian cities, including Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, and Panevėžys. A petition against his appointment quickly gained traction, accumulating over 51,000 signatures within days, eventually surpassing 67,000.

Cultural Organizations Take Action

The cultural community's opposition extended beyond street protests. Several organizations and institutions took concrete steps to express their disapproval:

• The Lithuanian Association of Literary Translators (LLVS) relocated the prestigious St. Jerome Award ceremony, scheduled for September 30, 2025, from the Ministry of Culture to the Lithuanian Catholic Academy of Sciences.
• The organizers of the Vilnius Book Fair announced that speeches by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and Minister Adomavičius would be unwelcome at their event.
• The Literature Council of the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture, along with several other advisory bodies, announced their resignation on September 26, 2025. Dr. Aistė Kučinskienė, Chair of the Literature Council, stated, 'The cultural community exists. We feel unheard, deceived, and humiliated. Therefore, we do not wish to cooperate with the new leadership of the Ministry of Culture.'

President Gitanas Nausėda, acknowledging the widespread criticism, had proposed a several-month trial period for Adomavičius on September 30, 2025, suggesting that the cultural community's main objection was the 'Dawn of Nemunas' party's right to nominate the minister, rather than Adomavičius himself.

Controversial Remarks and Resignation

The situation escalated following an interview with Lithuanian news portal Lrytas.lt, in which Adomavičius refused to answer questions regarding the political status of Crimea and the extent of Lithuania's support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion, labeling them 'provocative questions.' This refusal drew further criticism, with the Office of the President indicating that such remarks could warrant his removal from office.

Under pressure from Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, Ignotas Adomavičius officially resigned from his position as Minister of Culture on October 3, 2025, serving just over a week in the role. Despite his resignation, a warning strike by the cultural and arts sector, initially scheduled for October 5, 2025, was announced to proceed.