On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Antanas Kudzys – engineer, researcher of structural engineering, academician, professor, and habilitated doctor at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) – a commemorative event took place on May 9 at the VILNIUS TECH Library. During the ceremony, the exhibition „I chose the path of a scientist: Academician Antanas Kudzys – 100“ was officially opened at Gallery A. The exhibition presents the professor’s scientific achievements and his significant contributions to the advancement of both the university and Lithuania.

„Generations of Lithuanian civil engineers attended Antanas Kudzys’ lectures, and universities abroad invited him to teach. His name was included among the world’s most prominent intellectuals, and civil engineering students in other countries studied from his textbooks. Academician Antanas Kudzys' work and ideas touched many areas – from a distinct school of reinforced concrete and the theory of reliability for evaluating structural safety, to national economic and political issues, and even matters of linguistic purity in the Lithuanian language,“ said Juozas Šalkauskas in his opening speech.

The attendees were welcomed by VILNIUS TECH Rector Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas, along with other distinguished guests, colleagues of academician Antanas Kudzys, and his doctoral students.

„Professor Antanas Kudzys was a man of his time, who managed to fully apply his talents in various fields, thus making a profound contribution to science, the university, and the progress of Lithuania. Throughout his long and meaningful life, he left a lasting mark on many fields and in people’s hearts,“ stated Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas.

„Professor Antanas Kudzys was not only a scientist but also an outstanding educator. His lectures were captivating – delivered with a theatrical flair that held the audience’s attention. They were always clear and precise, never avoiding or skipping the complex or ambiguous aspects of reinforced concrete theory and practice,“ said Prof. Dr. Juozas Valivonis, Head of the Department of Reinforced Concrete Structures and Geotechnics at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Civil Engineering.

Ingrida Kasperaitienė, Director of the VILNIUS TECH Library, invited guests to visit the exhibition at Gallery A, saying: „The core of this exhibition is a newly published book of narrative non-fiction, dedicated to Professor Antanas Kudzys and published by the university. The book vividly and sensitively captures the journey of the academician – from a young construction enthusiast to one of the key figures in Lithuanian engineering thought. It reflects not only his scientific achievements but also his humanity, vision, and ability to unite, inspire, and create.”

The publication „Pasirinkau mokslininko kelią. Akademikui A. Kudziui – 100“  was prepared by his sons, Vytautas Kudzys and Assoc. Prof. Habil. Dr. Algirdas Kudzys, in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ona Lukoševičienė from the Department of Applied Mechanics at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, and Ona Juršaitė, Senior Specialist at the Scientific Information Department of the Library. The book is available here.

The exhibition „I chose the path of a scientist: Academician Antanas Kudzys – 100“ will be on display at Gallery A of the VILNIUS TECH Library until May 30.

Event Moments
Photos: Aleksas Jaunius