J. Sakalauskas’ complaint regarding the lost tender to head the LNOBT was finally rejected Culture

The decision of the district court of the city of Vilnius is upheld, and this decision of the district court is not subject to appeal.

The Vilnius District Court found that the court of first instance correctly determined all the relevant factual circumstances for this case, correctly interpreted and applied the legal norms governing the relationship of the dispute, and therefore made a legal and reasonable decision.

J. Sakalauskas stated that the principles of equality, legitimate expectations, and transparency might have been violated during the organization of the LNOBT head competition. According to him, some members of the commission had a friendly and subordinate relationship with Laima Vilimiene, who was recognized as the winner of the competition.

According to the decision of the Vilnius District Court, these statements are unfounded and unproven.

Opera soloist J. Sakalauskas led LNOBT for five years. Last summer, he was appointed to head the exhibition and congress center “Litexpo”, but at the beginning of this year he announced that he was leaving the position due to personal reasons.

The former director of LNOBT appealed to the court in the middle of February last year, following L. Vilimienei won the competition for the manager of the Opera and Ballet Theatre.

The district court of the city of Vilnius rejected J. Sakalauska’s claim in December.

After the courts made the final decision on Tuesday, Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys announced that L.Vilimienė, who won the LNOBT manager’s competition, will be able to start the position of general director from the agreed date.

Currently, she leads the Klaipėda State Musical Theatre. Last July, she won the competition for the director of this theater for another five-year term.

After the appointment of the head of LNOBT got stuck due to the courts, as well as a part of the theater team protesting once morest the return of L. Vilimienė, who had previously worked in the theater, last March the deputy general director, head of the Marketing Department, Audrius Kundrotas, was appointed to temporarily lead the institution.