from film screenings to sculpture unveilings

D. Banionis was born on April 28, 1924. Growing up in Kaunas, seventeen-year-old Donatas was accepted into the theater studio of Juoz Miltinis and left for Panevėžys, where he worked and lived for more than 60 years.

The strict discipline of Juoz Miltinis developed responsibility in preparing for each role, delving into the psychology of each created character. In terms of acting prowess, prominent roles are such as Vilis Lomenas (A. Miller’s “Death of a Commodore”). “No one wanted to die”), Goya (“Goya” directed by K. Wolff), Kris Kelvin (“Solaris” directed by A. Tarkovsky) in the cinema, made this actor famous as a master of psychological, deep character rendering.

“Each role has to be unique, otherwise it’s just a replication of yourself, a repetition of what you’ve done before,” said the actor. And the audience appreciated these qualities of the actor. And not only the audience – the actor was awarded at the Karlovy Vary and Sofia international film festivals, participated in the Cannes Film Festival, won a state prize in Germany, he is a laureate of the National Culture and Art Prize, awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Grand Duke Gediminas Order of Lithuania, the Order “For Merit to Lithuania” With the Commander’s Grand Cross, he was awarded the “Silver Crane” for his historical contribution to cinema and many other awards.

However, having already received recognition and numerous invitations to film in various countries, Donatas always returned to Panevėžys, to “his” drama theater. “The most important thing for a person is the land. From the most distant galaxies, to return to your homeland, to your cozy little town, where it all once began, to your shelter, where you knock for rest, to your theater, where your first teacher is Miltinis, your friends (…), – said Donatas .

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Donat Banionis, the Union of Lithuanian Cinematographers has been inviting “Cinema according to Donatus” to screenings of films with D. Banionis since February. Films have already been shown in Vilnius, Kaunas, Jurbarka, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Trakai, Jonava. Screenings are also planned in Panevėžys and other cities. The retrospective “Cinema according to Donatas” presents the most important, but different roles of D. Banionis in the films “No One Wanted to Die” (dir. Vytautas Žalakevičius), “Goya or the Difficult Way of Knowing” (German director Konrads Wolf), “Beethoven. Days of Life” (German director Horst Seemann), “Andrius” (director Algirdas Aramins), “Adams wants to be a man” (director Vytautas Žalakevičius) and others.

April 24 screening of the film “Goya, or the difficult road to knowledge” (Director K. Wolf) in Vilnius, Skalvija cinema, A. Goštauto st. 2

April 25, 26, 27 film retrospective in Panevėžys, Cinema Center “Garsas”, Klaipėdos st. 146

Lithuanian Theater Union and Association of Artists of the Theater Union April 29 4 p.m. organizes the event “Nepomiršti”, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of film and theater actor Donatos Banionis. Opening of the artistic highlight “Wall of Stars”. The first stars are dedicated to prominent personalities of Juozas Miltiniis Drama Theater: Donatus Banioniis, Juozis Miltiniis, Broniis Babkauskas, Eugenijas Šulgaitais, Stasis Petronaičius. Report “Theatrical work of Donats Banionis”. Presented by journalist, director, theater reviewer Julijus Lozoraitis. Documentary film “I am a poor king” directed by Henrikas Šablevičius. The film is presented by the Union of Lithuanian Cinematographers, director Raimundas Banionis, philosopher Arvydas Juozaitis.

Lithuanian Theater Union, Teatro st. 8, Vilnius

The foundation created by the family of Donatas Banionis April 30 at 5 p.m. invites you to the unveiling of a memorial sculpture for the actor in Panevėžys, near the J. Miltinis Drama Theater and thanks the sponsors, thanks to whom the idea of ​​erecting a sculpture for the actor was implemented.

Panevėžys County Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bite Public Library April 30 6 p.m. organizes a commemorative evening “Powerfully infused theater tributary. Film and theater actor Donat Banionis – 100” in Panevėžys musical theater. An exhibition presenting the life and work of D. Banionis will be exhibited. Daiva Šabasevičienė, one of the country’s best theater experts, will read the report.

Panevėžys Musical Theatre, Independence Square 8, Panevėžys