Lithuanian public and political figure, born in 1963 in Šilutė district. He graduated from Vilnius University in 1976, specialising in mathematics and economics. In the same year, he began his professional career at the design office of the Ministry of Food Industry. Over the years, he held several positions of high responsibility.

In 1994, Balčytis entered politics, becoming a member of the Vilnius City Council and subsequently serving three terms as a member of the Seimas in the single-mandate constituency of Šilalė - Šilutė. He then served as Minister of Transport and Communications and later as Minister of Finance.

In 2002, Balčytis was awarded a commemorative medal for his personal contribution to Lithuania's transatlantic relations and Lithuania's invitation to join NATO. He received the Afanasy Nikitin Medal for his significant contribution to the development of transport and for bringing people and regions together. Balčytis was also awarded the medal for the 750th anniversary of the coronation of King Mindaugas. He also holds the Order of the Gra-Cru Cross of the Portuguese Republic.

In 2003, Balčytis founded a charity organisation called “Padėk kitiems” (Helping Others).

In 2004, Balčytis was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of “už nuopelnus Lietuvai”(Merits for Lithuania).

In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Ludwig Wiener (famous Klaipėda region philanthropist) "Philanthropist of the Year" award for his support of poor families in Šilutė region, orphans, young artists and other philanthropic activities.

In 2005, received the “Sidabrinės nendrės” (Silver Reeds) award for his special activity in promoting the Šilutė region.

In 2007, he was nominated as Šilutė Region Naumiestis "Benefactor of the Year" at the "Auksinis Liūtas" (Golden Lion) awards ceremony.

In 2008, received Šilalė district award “Auksinė gilė” (Golden Acorn) for his sincere, consistent support and love for the people of Šilalė. His charity “Padėk kitiems” has helped a number of families in Šilalė district.

Member of the European Parliament since July 2009.

In 2010, Member of European Parliament (MEP) Balčytis became a member of the newly established Special Committee.

In 2010, MEP Balčytis became a member of the newly established Special Committee on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Resources for a Sustainable European Union after 2013.

In 2011, MEP Balčytis initiated a competition "Mano savanorystės veikla" (My volunteering) in order to popularise the concept of volunteering. The aim of the competition was to recognise active volunteers who are unknown to the public.

The title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė was granted to Zigmantas Balčytis by the decision of Šilalė District Municipal Council No. T1-173 of 26 July 2018 "On granting the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė to Zigmantas Balčytis".

On the 26^th of July 2018 according to the decision of Šilalė District Municipal Council No. T1-173 “On conferring the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė to Zigmantas Balčytis”, Balčytis received the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė.

Philanthropist and admirer of Šilalė region, who provides cooperation and humanitarian aid to medical, nursing, religious institutions and organisations.

Bastianas - an 85-year-old former engineer and long-time CLASS employee living in Gütersloh, Germany. He first came to Šilalė in 1991 to provide humanitarian aid. At the time, Lithuanian medical institutions were facing severe shortages of medical equipment, furniture, supplies, clothing and medicines. Nursing homes were also struggling, and Caritas Internationalis was in its infancy. Every year, thanks to Bastianas, the Caritas organisation, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Šilalė, the Pajūris orphanage and the Kvėdarna old people's home received much needed aid. Sometimes the support came several times a year. Since 1991, Bastianas has brought donations to Šilalė 67 times. He collected them from medical institutions in Gütersloh and surrounding towns, from CLASS and other companies, and from private individuals. The furniture (functional medical beds, wardrobes, cupboards, etc.) brought by Bastianas is still in use in the wards and other premises of Šilalė District Hospital. After making sure that the donations arrived safely, Bastianas used to visit the Šilalė District Municipality, frequently coming to the institutions he supported and warmly interacting with all the staff, orphans and patients. Bastianas could be seen in the church of Šilalė, at town festivals and at various other events organised by the institutions he supported. Bastianas tried to get to know not only Šilalė district, but also Lithuania itself.

The last time Bastianas visited Šilalė was in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he took an active interest in the situation of Šilalė District Hospital and the entire district. Although he was not present at the time, his support and attention were felt from afar. To this day, Bastianas travels actively, participates in the community life and cultural activities of his town, and plans visits to Šilalė.

He was awarded the title of honorary citizen of Šilalė in 2022.

Director, theatrologist, doctor of humanitarian sciences. Was born on 20^th of February 1935 in Mėčiai, Laukuva volost.

From 1953 to 1955 was imprisoned in the Komi exile colony for anti-Soviet activities.

On his return to Lithuania, studied at Vilnius University from 1957 to 1960, at the Lithuanian Conservatory from 1963 to 1969, and at the Lunacharsky State Institute of Theatre Arts in Moscow from 1977 to 1983.

From 1956 to 1961 was an actor in the Šiauliai Drama Theatre.

From 1970 to 1980 was a Lithuanian television director.

In 1975 founded the Novelės teatras (Novella Theatre) near Vilnius, where he directed until 1985.

From 1980 he worked as a lecturer at Klaipėda University (the Klaipėda Faculty of the Lithuanian Conservatoire until 1991), from 1986 as an associate professor, from 1991 as the head of the Theatre Pedagogy Department.

He was awarded the Balys Sruoga Prize in 2000 and the Bishop Motiejus Valančius Prize in 2001.

Bielskis created a theoretical model of Lithuanian folk theatre, tested it in practice, established its uniqueness and connections, and founded a Master's Degree in Theatre Studies in Klaipėda, where he successfully trains young scholars.

His works include the writing and self-publishing of academic books, novels, numerous articles, directorial works, plays that are performed in theatres all over the country, original art exhibitions, the establishment of a network of Klojimas theatres and the training of more than a hundred directors and theatre scholars.

Thanks to Bielski's initiative in 1999, the inhabitants of Laukuva and Šilalė held a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first Lithuanian play on Medvėgalis.

On 13^th August 2008, Petras Bielskis was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė for his merits in the fields of art, science, professional and amateur theatre activities and for promoting the Šilalė region by the decision of the Šilalė District Municipal Council No. T1-259 "On conferring the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė on Petras Bielskis".

In 2009 he was awarded the title of Klaipėda's most civic-minded citizen. Bielskis has devoted his entire life to Lithuanian culture: he has preserved national drama and Lithuanian theatre traditions, staged more than 30 plays in various theatres, and is active in the fields of art, literature, art history, especially theatre studies. For his services to Klaipėda and Lithuania as a whole, for promoting national dramaturgy and Lithuanian theatre traditions, he was awarded the title of Master of Klaipėda Culture.

In 2015, he was awarded the honorary badge "Nešk savo šviesą ir tikės" (Carry your light and believe) by the Ministry of Culture.

Together with his students, Bielskis created a unique network of folk theatres in Klojimas, which has no equivalent in Europe. They resurrected the old dramaturgy from oblivion, revived the traditions of village theatres and the Klojimas Theatre Movement, which culminates annually in Klojimas Theatre krivūlė (a meeting of great importance, called by the use of a symbolic stick). An important aspect of ancient Baltic religion) - theatre festivals, which are held in a new region of the country every year.

He was born on the 12^th of April 1932 in the village of Bagdonas, in the family of Stanislovas Biržiškis, an agronomist of Šilalė district, and Jadvyga Biržiskienė.

In 1938, he started attending the Džiaugėnai primary school. From 1940 to 1949 he attended Šilalė gymnasium.

From 1949 to 1958 he lived in exile in Siberia, where he studied at the Bodaybo gymnasium. He graduated with honours from the Irkutsk Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. For some time he worked as a lathe operator in a heavy machinery factory in Irkutsk.

He returned to Lithuania in 1958. His first job was at the Akmenė building materials combine. From 1964 to 1993 he worked as a lecturer at Vilnius University, Vilnius Engineering Institute and Kaunas Polytechnic Institute.

Dr Biržiškis is the author of 30 inventions and the winner of two national awards.

From 1959 to 1990, he worked in the Kaunas drilling and blasting company, which in 1977, after several reorganisations, became the "Granitas" (Granite) Association of Road Construction Material Companies.

In 1990, he was appointed Minister of Transport and Communications in the first government of the newly independent Republic of Lithuania. He held this position until December 1996, having served in seven governments of the Republic of Lithuania.

From 1997 to 2000 he was the President of the Lithuanian Roads Association.

From 2000 to 2006 he worked as the Director General of JSC "Lithuanian Railways".

Dr Biržiškis resisted the occupation with his persistent work and devoted his life to creating a better and richer future for his homeland. He truly inherited the best qualities of his ancestors - diligence and respect for others.

In 1995, Dr Biržiškis was awarded the Order of Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania, third degree.

In 2002 he was awarded the Order of Santarvė "Pro augenda concordia".

In 2003, he was awarded the "Golden Fortune" of the Gregorian IV degree medal by the Republic of Ukraine.

Biržiškis is an active supporter of the Pajūris Stanislovas Biržiškis Gymnasium in Šilalė district and is also interested in the affairs of the Pajūris Elders. In his homestead in the village of Pailgotis, various festivals are held.

In 2010 he was awarded the 1st degree medal for "Merits to Vilnius and the Nation". And many other national and foreign awards.

To the meritorious engineer, manufacturer, exile, public and political figure of the restored independent Lithuania, Minister of Transport and Communications in the first government of the Republic of Lithuania (1990-1996), honorary member of the Society of Šilalė Local Citizens, Doctor of Technical Sciences, for his great work for Lithuania, for the promotion of the Šilalė region and for his philanthropic activities, Šilalė District Municipal Council on 25 July 2013, by decision no. T1-192 "On conferring the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė on Jonas Biržiškis".

Physician, exile, author of the memoirs "Lietuviai prie Laptevų jūros" (Lithuanians at the Laptev Sea). One of the most prominent writers of exile literature, a witness and chronicler of the exile experience of the Lithuanian people.

For the last 15 years she lived in Laukuva, where a memorial exhibition was set up thanks to the care of her friend A. Šulskytė. Now a memorial museum is to be established in this house. The Laptev Brotherhood is also continuously involved in perpetuating the memory of Dalia Grinkevičiūtė by establishing the Dalia Grinkevičiūtė Memorial and Assistance Medal.The title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė was conferred in 2022.

He was born on the 6^th of May 1952 in Saripov, Krasnoyarsk region, Siberia.

In 1970 Kairys graduated from Kaltinėnai high school (Šilalė district). He studied at the Vilnius Engineering Construction Institute. In 1973 he graduated from the Aviation Technical School. From 1980 to 1984 he studied at the Leningrad Civil Aviation Academy, from which he graduated. From 1973 to 1977 Kairys worked at the Kaunas Aero Club and from 1977 to 1989 at the Vilnius Aero Club. In 1974 he started flying at Kaunas Aero Club. Since 1976 he was a member of the Lithuanian aerobatic team, from 1977 to 1989 - a member of the USSR team. Since 1989 - test pilot at Sukhoi Aviation Plant. In 1994 Kairys founded the public institution "Kairys skrydžiai" (Kairys Flights).

Since 1999, Kairys has been upgrading a very light and powerful aerobatic plane "Juka", which gives the pilot a new opportunity to create new aerobatic figures and unique demonstration programmes.

Between 1996 and 2000, Kairys was the first in the world to legally fly under the Simonas Daukantas pedestrian bridge in Kaunas, the White Bridge in Vilnius, and in anticipation of the 2000s, he flew under all the Neris bridges and under the pedestrian bridge in Kaunas.

In 2006, Kairys became the leader of the 2006 World Cup series in Motegi, Japan.

He is a Lithuanian pilot, aeronautical designer, aerobatic master, European and world aerobatic champion, multiple world champion, winner of the highest number of FAI World Cup (Grand Prix) competitions.

From 1996 to 2006 he was recognised as the best Unlimited Aerobatic Master in the world.

Kairys is the author of many aerobatic manoeuvres, or at least the first to perform them. "Kairys ratas" (Kairys circle) is named after him. In 1997, using a Su-31 aerobatic aircraft, he was the first person to perform the "Cobra" manoeuvre, a feat previously performed only by some Russian fighter jets. Kairy's combination of pilot and aeronautical engineer helps him to create new aerobatic figures.

On 13 August 2008, he was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė for his achievements in the European and World Aerobatic Championships and for promoting the name of Šilalė and Lithuania in the world by the decision of the Šilalė District Municipal Council No. T1-257 "On Awarding the Title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė to Jurgis Kairys".

In 2012, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė awarded the Officer's Cross "For Merits to Lithuania" to pilot, aerobatic master Kairys.

In 2012, Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius awarded Kairys with the Honorary Commander of Sports Badge for his significant contribution to the development of physical culture and sports in Lithuania.

He was born on the 29^th of March in Gūbriai village, Traksėdis eldership. In 1949, he was deported to Spassk camp. On his return to Lithuania, he studied English at Vilnius University and continued his studies at St Petersburg University. He worked in the English Department at Vilnius University and created an audio-visual centre for foreign language teaching.

In 1992 he was awarded the Commemorative Medal of 13 January, in 1998 the Knight's Cross of the Order of Vytis, and in 2002 the Voluntary Medal of the Military Founders.

In Lithuania, Kentra is known as the chronicler of Lithuanian history, the creator of the archive of modern Lithuanian studies, and the preserver of cultural heritage. Thanks to him, the interiors of the Central Palace of Vilnius University and the Faculty of Philology are decorated with paintings by famous artists, reflecting the eternal love of Lithuanians for their country, their neighbours and their work.

A video and audio archive has been collected since 1965. It reflects the activities of Lithuanian cultural and scientific personalities in the promotion of national values, the development of Lithuanian studies at Vilnius University and the pursuit of Lithuanian independence.

For 15 years, Kentra has been working to save the building at 10 Labdariai Street and 9 Totoriai Street in Vilnius from ruin. In 1919, volunteers gathered there to defend Lithuania's independence. Today it is a Lithuanian heritage site, adapted for historical and cultural activities. It is the seat of the "Miško broliai" (Forest Brothers) Association.

During the years of revival, Kentra did not limit himself to recording unique historical events on video. His knowledge of languages enabled him to communicate with foreign journalists and politicians, and the Cathedral Square became a conference venue from which news of events in Lithuania spread around the world in perfect Oxford English.

In 2008, he was awarded the Language Prize for his active care of Lithuania's historical and material heritage.

In 2010 he was awarded the medal "už nuopelnus Vilniui ir Tautai" (for services to Vilnius and the nation).

On behalf of Lithuanian freedom fighters, Kentra wrote letters to the presidents and heads of government of Germany, France, Canada, the United States of America and other countries, and even received replies.

Kentra is a chronicler of the recent history of Lithuania, the creator of a unique archive, a philologist, a political exile, a participant and witness of the events of the restoration of the Independent State of Lithuania, a promoter of the national identity of Vilnius University, the chairman of the "Forest Brothers" Society, a presenter of the events of the post-war resistance and its spirit to Lithuanian and foreign guests. In recognition of his achievements and hard work, on 25 July 2013 the Šilalė District Municipal Council conferred the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė on Albinas Kentra by Resolution No. T1-193 "On conferring the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė on Albinas Kentra".

In 2016, he was awarded the statue of St. Christopher for his life dedicated to Vilnius.

A canonical priest, an exceptional person that attracted and gathered the community with the light of his heart, and implemented many significant and important projects in Šilalė region.

Father Linkevičius was born on 16 April 1958. He graduated from Kaunas Seminary in 1984 and was transferred to Kaltinėnai in 1988, where he remained for eighteen years. At present he serves at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Darsniškis.

Not only in Kaltinėnai, but in the whole district, Fr. Linkevičius was a highly respected person. In 1995, thanks to his efforts, Kaltinėnai Church, which burnt down in 1988, was rebuilt. The church features an impressive statue of Jesus Christ, a magnificent stained-glass window and stained glass paintings of the Stations of the Cross. The church also has the original Stations of the Cross and a digital organ. On the initiative of Father Linkevičius, the first old people's home in the region, a nursing home, youth and rehabilitation centres and a spirituality park with the Calvary of the Exiles were established in Kaltinėnai. It consists of twenty-one sculptures commemorating the exiles and a chapel. Next to the sculptures stands a 20-metre high Resurrection Cross, symbolising the resurrection of the nation in 1990. It is considered one of the highest crosses in Lithuania. The hill on which the cross is built offers a spectacular view of the city and is one of the main attractions for tourists.

He was awarded the title of honorary citizen of Šilalė in 2022.

He was born on the 3^rd of June 1953 in Anklam. He grew up in a large family with four siblings. He was a great footballer, playing for Anklam Lok BSG in the second division of the German Democratic Republic. This determined his choice of career. On the 1st of September 1974 he started to work in the education department of the town hall of Anklam. At the same time, he studied political science and law at the Potsdam-Babelsberg Academy. He became deputy mayor of Anklam at the age of 26.

On 17 December 1985 Mahnke moved to Stavenhagen, where he was elected mayor. In 1990 he stood as an independent candidate in the first democratic local elections in reunified Germany and was again elected mayor.

Mahnke has placed great emphasis on the development of the next generation of municipal staff, with a 12-year training programme for administrative professionals.

In November 1994, the mayor signed a cooperation agreement with the Šilalė district municipality. Since then, delegations from Stavenhagen have been frequent visitors to Šilalė. Thanks to Mahnke, humanitarian aid has been reaching people in need for a long time. Many donations have been sent to the Šilalė kindergarten "Žiogelis" and the Pajūris orphanage. The Mayor of Stavenhagen helped to build a skateboard park in Šilalė. The municipality of Stavenhagen has continuously supported the exchange programmes for students of Šilalė Simonas Gaudėšius and Stavenhagen Gymnasium. Šilalė's children's art group has performed in Stavenhagen.

Mahnke is an honorary member of the Stavenhagen Football Club and many other associations.

On 13 August 2008, by the decision of the Šilalė District Municipal Council no. T1-258 "On awarding the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė to Bernd Mahnke", the Mayor of the Municipality of Stavenhagen, Federal Republic of Germany, was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė for his long-standing friendship and cooperation between the Municipalities of the District of Stavenhagen and the Municipalities of the Šilalė Region in the fields of social, educational, cultural and economic life, as well as for his humanitarian support to the needy and care institutions in the District. The award was presented in Germany on 15 October 2008.

An engineer, local historian, historian, encyclopaedist, researcher and social activist, dedicated to the region of Šilalė, its history and promoting it.

Misius was born on the 5^th of December 1942 in Paymėžis village, Kvėdarna municipality. From 1949 to 1953 he attended Šventai (later renamed Žadeikiai) Primary School, and from 1953 to 1961 he attended Kvėdarna High School. While still at school, he became interested in history and relics of the past, joining a tourist group with which he visited a number of cultural heritage sites in his native country. While studying and working in his spare time, he attended courses in local history and monument conservation, acquired the theoretical foundations of this work and began to take part in ethnological expeditions. In 1969 he graduated from the Faculty of Monument Conservation at the Lithuanian National University. While collecting local history material about towns and cities, he travelled all over Lithuania by bicycle or on foot, interviewing eyewitnesses of events and photographing objects of cultural heritage. He began to supplement the material collected during his research with information published in the libraries of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library, the Academy of Sciences and Vilnius University, in the press of Tsarist Russia and inter-war Lithuania. He decided to make up for the lack of data by using primary sources kept in various Lithuanian archives. He worked there for 50 years. The material he collected and his careful analysis of it allowed Misius to quickly develop from a local historian into a professional and productive researcher. The editors of the encyclopaedia noticed this and invited him to collaborate. Now he is one of the authors or co-authors of the articles in the Lithuanian Encyclopaedia. He retired in 2006 and was invited to join the Vilnius Academy of Arts as a researcher at the Institute of Fine Arts, where he worked until 2014.

Misius researched the history of towns, parishes, manors, the Lithuanian press ban, the cultural and economic life of Lithuania at the end of the 19th century, the development of education until 1940, the struggles of the resistance and the biographies of prominent personalities. Misius' work for his native Šilalė region deserves special mention. He was one of the initiators of the establishment of the Šilališkis draugija (Society of the People of Šilalė) in Vilnius. One of the organisers and main author of articles in the local history monograph "Šilalės kraštas" (Šilalė region), of which ten volumes have been published. He wrote fourteen historical articles for the book "Šilalės rajono bažnyčios: istorija ir architektūra" (Churches of Šilalė County: History and Architecture), published by the Public Library of Šilalė County. All the work he has done for his homeland has been unpaid. Misius is a great role model for young people. His journalism is social, topical and promotes nationalism and spiritual values.

In 1995, he won the second prize in the competition of the Lithuanian Historians' Society; in 2007, he received an honorary doctorate from the Samogitian Academy; in 2008, his works were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Gediminas; in 2010 he was nominated for the "Auksinė gilė" prize of Šilalė district; in 2022 he was awarded the Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė commemorative medal "tarnaukite Lietuvai" (Serve Lithuania). The title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė was conferred in 2022.

A world-famous cyclist, was born in 1988 in Šilalė district, Kvėdarna town. From the very beginning of his sporting career, he has been characterized by his exceptional discipline and dedication to cycling. More than once he had to prove that he was able to compete with top athletes.

In 2007, Navardauskas won 1^st place in the Lithuanian Road Championship.

In 2010, Navardauskas rode in the third group of the French amateur cycling team "VC La Pomme Marseille" and finished 8th.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he finished 47^th in the group road race.

In 2012, the 79th World Road Cycling Championships were held in Limburg, Netherlands, where Navardauskas finished 8th. This is the highest placing in the men's group race at the World Championships in the history of Lithuanian cycling.

At the London 2012 Olympic Games, Navardauskas finished 59th in the 250km road team race and 21st in the 44km road individual race.

He finished 15th at the 2014 world championships in Spain.

In 2014, Navardauskas finished 3rd in the Canadian Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec as part of the Garmin-Sharp team.

In 2014, Navardauskas won the 19^th stage of the 101^st Tour de France, the most prestigious multi-day cycling race.

In 2015, he won a bronze medal at the World Road Cycling Championships in the USA.

He was voted as the best Lithuanian athlete of 2015.

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Navardauskas finished 35^th.

In 2017, Navardauskas won the individual race at the third stage (11,9km) of the 35^th “Vuelta a san Juan” multi-day race held in Argentina.

In 2018, Navardauskas ("Bahrain Merida") finished 16th in the main group at the "Prudential RideLondon - Surrey Classic" (UCI "World Tour") in London.

Navardauskas has won a stage in both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France - two very prestigious road races.

He currently rides for the professional team “Bahrain Merida Cycling Team”.

The well-known cyclist has also been awarded the “Auksinė gilė” (Golden Acorn) by the Šilalė District Municipality.

In order to contribute to the improvement of the cultural life of the district, Navardauskas has repeatedly organised international cycling races to win a cup named after him.

Navardauskas was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė by the decision of the Šilalė District Municipal Council No. T1-174 26^th of July 2018 "On awarding the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė to Ramūnas Navardauskas".

He was born on the 16^th of January 1957 in Žvingiai, Šilalė district. Studied at Žvingiai high school. In 1983 he graduated from Kaunas Medical University. In 1994, he defended his doctoral thesis "Comparison of different methods of treatment of acute myocardial infarction of the damaged coronary vessel" at Vilnius University and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science.

Prof Šerpytis specialises in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and the organisation of emergency medical care. He consults and treats patients with unstable angina, myocardial infarction, heart rhythm and conduction disorders and heart failure. He is particularly interested in the prevention of heart disease.

He has been a researcher at Vilnius University since 1991. Professor at Vilnius University Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases and Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care.

Research interests: acute coronary syndromes, sudden death, early diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction, new diagnostic markers, accessory circulation. He teaches clinical cardiology. He has published over 70 scientific articles.

Prof Šerpytis is an active member of professional and public organisations: secretary of the Lithuanian Society of Cardiology, a member of the Lithuanian Heart Association, a member of the National Health Council, part-time cardiology consultant to the Ministry of Health.

He frequently visits Šilalė district, provides free consultations to the residents of the district, material support and assistance to gifted students of the former Žvingiai school, now Pajūris Stanislovas Biržiškis Gymnasium of Šilalė district.

In 2009, he was awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order "For Merits to Lithuania".

In 2012, he received the rank of professor.

For his love of his homeland, his help to its people, his constant efforts to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the population, the Šilalė District Municipal Council, by its decision No. T1-194 of 25 July 2013 "On conferring the honorary title of Citizen of Šilalė on Pranas Šerpytis", conferred the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė on Pranas Šerpytis.

In 2015, he was awarded the statue of St Christopher for his services to health care.

Since March 2015, he has been the head of the Emergency Medical Centre of Santariškės Clinics.

Chairwoman of the Šilalė Branch of the Lithuanian Union of Political Prisoners and Exiles, member of the Šilalė District Municipal Council, poet - was born on the 14^th June 1931 in Bučiai village, Šilalė district.

While she was still at school, she cooperated with the Lithuanian partisans - passing on news, organising meetings, ensuring the safe transport of the wounded and playing an active role in the underground press. Thanks to Teresė and her colleagues, Lithuanian partisan publications were distributed among the population. This activity was noticed by the occupiers. Their letters and writings were found among the belongings of arrested and killed partisans. In 1953 Rubšytė-Ūksienė was arrested.

For collaborating with Lithuanian partisans and working for the underground press, she was imprisoned in camps in the Arkhangelsk region and the Perm region. She returned to Lithuania in 1956.

She worked as a teacher in Varniai district, Jaunodava seven-year school and Nevočiai nine-year school; was head of the guidance department of Šilalė evening school. Retired since 1990. She started writing while still at school. Her first poems appeared in the underground press: "Laisvės kovų aidai" (Echoes of the Struggle for Freedom), "Laisvės balsas" (Voice of Freedom), "Kovos keliu žengiant" (Walking on the Path of Struggle). Her first book, "Vėlinių naktį" (In the Night of All Souls' Day), was supposed to be published in the underground press, but was confiscated by the security services.

In 2004, Rubšytė-Ūksienė was awarded the "Neringa" prize by the teacher and resistance poet Irena Petkutė.

In 2008, she was awarded the Tauragė County Governor's Medal "For Merit to Tauragė County".

In 2010, she was awarded the Šilalė District Municipality Prize "Pagarbos lašas" (A drop of respect) and in 2011 - the "Auksinė gilė" (Golden Acorn).

In 2012, by presidential decree, she was awarded the Order of the Cross of Vytis.

In 2018, she was awarded the Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Memorial Medal “Tarnaukite Lietuvai” (Serve Lithuania).

Rubšytė-Ūksienė, together with others, collected data on the scale of deportations, the deceased, the Lithuanian population that did not return from the prisons, and published six books of memoirs "Erškėčių keliu" (On the Thorny Path). She also collected brief information on all the monuments, memorial plaques and photographs dedicated to the participants in the struggle for freedom and published "Atgiję paminkluose" (Revived in Monuments). Rubšytė-Ūksienė is also known as a poet who writes for both children and adults.

The title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė was granted to Teresė Rubšytė-Ūksienė by the decision of Šilalė District Municipal Council No. T1-175 of 26 July 2018 "On granting the title of Honorary Citizen of Šilalė to Teresė Rubšytė-Ūksienė".