AMBER PRIZE

Amber Award

The Amber Award is a prestigious award founded by the Association of Castles and Museums Around the Baltic Sea.

It is awarded to individuals or institutions that have contributed to the Association's development, positively influenced its image, and promoted harmonious relations and mutual understanding between colleagues working in various castles and museums in the Baltic Sea region. The selection process for the Amber Award is overseen by the Association's General Meeting, and each member of the Association has the opportunity to propose a candidate for this prestigious award.

These nominations can be submitted at any time of the year to the relevant member of the Association's Board. The winner will receive a special diploma and a small figurine made of Baltic amber.

2025 Maria Smorzhevskih-Smirnova

Cultural historian and director of the Narva Museum (Estonia). She has bravely, persuasively, and selflessly promoted a genuine and authentic portrayal of the history of the Baltic Sea region, while also fostering positive relations and mutual understanding among colleagues working in museums and castles.

2024 Marek Stokowski

Polish poet and prose writer, author of fiction and educational books, member of the Union of Polish Writers, long-time member of the Board of the Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea.

2020 Bengt Kylsberg

Swedish art historian, long-term curator of Skokloster Castle Museum, member of the Board of the Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea from Sweden, President of the Association 1998-2008.

Modris Svilāns (b. 1979) is a designer who graduated from the Metal Design Department of the Design Department of the Art Academy of Latvia in 2006. Since 2001, he has participated in numerous group exhibitions, showcasing his work in kinetic objects and photographs in both Latvia and Europe. Svilāns is the only artist in Latvia who combines metal art with experiments in sound and kinetics, creating unique works of art. Through kinetic objects, artist offers visitors interactivity in his exhibitions, inviting them to participate in the creation, observation and analysis of movement processes. He also works in analogue photography and solograhy.

The artist Modris Svilāns has created the Association of Castles and Museums Around the Baltic Sea Amber Award using oak tree, steel and amber. The artwork's conception is based on the idea of the effective technology provided by bevel gear, which has been used since ancient times. However, all kinds of gears, including bevel gears, are used in various ways even today. The incorporation of a bevel gear in the artwork serves as a testament to its enduring presence throughout the development of civilisation. Its application has been instrumental in various domains, including construction of castles, the operation of mills, the fabrication of clocks, and the integration of gears in contemporary electrical appliances. This technology is ancient, but fundamental, and therefore highlights the past whilst simultaneously showcasing progression: the cultural heritage of the past is constantly modernised and adapted in order to make it appealing and accessible to all kinds of social groups. The incorporation of a bevel gear into the artwork by the artist communicates the idea of progression and development. The artwork also features a piece of rough amber, which symbolises the only gemstone found in the Baltic Sea. This particular gemstone is formed from resin exuded from tree bark, and the fact that pieces of amber are found on various shores of the Baltic Sea, makes it impossible to determine their exact origin. However, given amber's long formation time, the artwork's piece can be considered a symbol of all the Baltic Sea regions and their different historical periods.

2019 Juhani Kostet

Finish historian, archaeologist and renowned expert in museology, Director of Turku Museums (1997-2009) before being appointed Director General of the National Board of Antiquities (2010-2020), member of the Board of the Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea of Finland.

2019 Vivi Jensen

Long-time employee of Koldinghus Museum, distinguished historian, active Danish representative on the Board of the Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea.

2008 Michel Marbot

Businessman and benefactor, founder of the idea of the cooperation of castles and museums around the Baltic Sea, financial supporter of the Association's activities for many years.

2007 Mariusz Mierzvinski

Polish archaeologist, conservator and museum worker. Director of the Malbork Castle Museum (1987-2017), co-founder and Vice-President of the Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea.

2006 Rajmund Fortuna

Businessman, supported the activities of the Association, participated in annual meetings, offered his advice on organisational matters and provided photographic services for events.