Honorary Citizens, the Paplava Bridge Order and Values

A Republic without taxes cannot thank people with money - so it is generous with respect. Užupis has three ways to say "thank you" and "you matter to us": honorary citizenship for people, the Paplava Bridge Order for service, and the value mark for objects and phenomena that may be at risk of disappearing.

The title of honorary citizen is granted solemnly during the Independence celebration on April 1. Its holders include creators, teachers, spiritual and civic leaders:

• Jonas Mekas - filmmaker and Lithuanian global eccentric.
• His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama - spiritual and political leader of Tibet, who has visited Užupis three times.
• Valdas Adamkus - President of the Republic of Lithuania.
• Vytautas Kernagis - singer who recorded the Užupis anthem and "Užupis Blues".
• Antanas Mockus - Lithuanian of the world, mayor of Bogotá and candidate for president of Colombia.
• Ugnė Karvelis - Lithuanian ambassador and permanent representative to UNESCO.
• Stanislovas Kuzma - sculptor and resident of Užupis.
• Vladas Malcevičius - teacher and principal of Užupis Gymnasium.
• Valdas Neimantas - artist and creator of Užupis symbols.
• Zenonas Šteinys - artist and resident of Užupis.
• Stasys Urniežius - Duke Vildaugas.

The Paplava Bridge Order is awarded for service to the Republic of Užupis. Its recipients include:

• Vytautas Ankudavičius - Count of Užupis.
• Almantas Rasimavičius - resident of Užupis.
• Romas Vilčiauskas - sculptor, author of the Angel and the Mermaid.
• Jonas Krasnikovas - founder of the Užupis cafe, seat of the Barlament.

A material or immaterial Užupis phenomenon that matters to local life and may face the threat of disappearance can publicly receive the value mark, meaning protection and care. This may be the Republic's wisest invention: it honours not only glory, but everyday life.

• Užupis central post office (Krivių g. 4). On April 1, 2016, after plans to "optimise" it were detected, the 7th Vilnius branch of Lithuanian Post - its building, activity, workers and relationships with residents - was solemnly declared the first value of Užupis. A letter addressed simply to "the President of the Republic of Užupis", even without an exact address, reaches its recipient.
• The little wooden house (Polocko g. 52). On April 1, 2017, a unique wooden house with decorative details was declared a value of Užupis to protect it from decay. After community initiatives, the building was returned to the municipality, with plans to create a Vilnius wooden architecture museum there.

Further work: create a separate page for every honorary citizen with biography, date and photos; add the history and design of the Order; add separate value entries with current condition. The Silver Garlic Bullet and other informal awards also deserve entries.