News

The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Bern in deep sorrow has the duty to inform that BRONISLOVAS LUBYS, the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania (1992-1993) and Signatory to the 11 March Act of Independence has passed away on Sunday 23, October 2011. A book of condolence will be opened at the Embassy of Lithuania in Bern, Friday, 4 November 2011, between the hours of 12.00 p.m. and 16.00 p.m.

In memoriam

Bronislovas LUBYS

(1938–2011)

When great men suddenly pass, the thoughts about the impermanence of this world, welcome or not, come to the head. The thoughts come also about their legacy to this most beautiful of impermanent worlds. Signatory Bronislovas Lubys leaves an enormous legacy. I know for sure that he did not aim at erecting a monument for himself and did not think about what we, the still living, would speak when bidding farewell to him. He just lived his life and did what he thought was right. Many of his endeavours were made for the wellbeing of others, not for his own. Probably his last undertaking was the approved grant for building a new church in Jonava. On 23 October, however, we lost him.

I do not know for certain, but Bronislovas Lubys’ need for sponsorship of art, science, education, and Church must have been inspired by his birthplace Plungė, the town of the Oginskis family, the art patrons, where he was born on 8 October 1938. In 1957 he graduated from the secondary school in Plungė and was captured by science, chemistry, and engineering. Therefore, he entered Kaunas Institute of Polytechnics, graduated it in 1963 and subsequently completed extramural postgraduate studies at the Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture in 1976. Engaged in the manufacturing sector, he still found time for studies: in 1979 he presented his doctoral thesis in technical science at Kaunas Institute of Polytechnics. He is the author of 51 inventions and a number of articles. Bronislovas Lubys’ scientific achievements later received the awards of the Scientific and Technical Society of the Republic of Lithuania, whereas Klaipėda University and Kaunas University of Technology awarded him the title of Doctor of Honour. The late Lubys was also the winner of Russia’s Lomonosov Prize; he also was Foreign Member and Academician of the Academy of Technological Sciences of the Russian Federation.

The Jonava-based nitrogen fertiliser and chemicals manufacturer, now Achema, was Bronislovas Lubys’ first employer. He began his career in 1963 as Head of Unit of the Jonava-based plant, the then production association Azotas, was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1971, and managed the whole plant from 1985 onwards. In 1991, Lubys resigned from the post of Director General due to his political career to become Member of the Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas in 1990, and Signatory to the 11 March Act of Independence. The Soviet elite and nomenclature, Lubys undoubtedly proved to be a Lithuanian patriot of the highest standard, maybe just a little wiser and more practical than many of us. However, no one could blame Lubys for arrogance or superiority over others. Straightforwardness and humanity were his lifelong traits, regardless of the heights he reached. The public figure of that importance cannot remain invisible to society, but did anyone see Lubys in "popular" television shows and glossy magazines? In private life, he was dedicated to himself and his family.

I had the fortune to work closely with Lubys for half a year, when I had the honour to serve as Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania in 1992 and he was appointed my deputy. I felt gratified, because as a young self-taught politician I badly needed help from an experienced, knowledgeable, and honest man. I learned a lot from my colleague, but I particularly value the skills in what is now called crisis management. In 1992, public administration was all about crisis management. Lubys’ wisdom, resilience, and experience were also appreciated by the leftist politicians, who persuaded him to assume the burden of the Prime Minister’s post after the parliamentary election. He held the position until March 1993 when he retired from official politics for good. Lubys desired to leave the political decision-making for professionals and go back to business, the area he excelled at and rejoiced in.

I believe one of the most important characteristics of Bronislovas Lubys, who was a businessman, was his ability to spot promising opportunities where no one else saw them. Investment into stevedoring business in Klaipėda happened at the time when the port was experiencing perhaps the deepest recession by far. Moreover, the construction of the hotel in Druskininkai started at the time when there was no sight of upswing in the town’s economy. As regards Achema, not many people saw the monster of soviet technology a particularly promising business in 1993. However, all of these businesses are running successfully now. It was probably not only because of his foresight but also because of his determination to reach a goal, which is characteristic of Samogitians.

Bronislovas Lubys was the most distinct business leader in Lithuania. The leader – not only because of the concern Achema Group, which under his leadership became one of the largest companies in Lithuania, running fertilizer, stevedoring, hotel, and other businesses. But because, first and foremost, he needed and felt it his duty to work jointly with other businessmen and he sought for improved business conditions and at the same time a better and richer Lithuania. At his initiative, the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists was founded in 1993 and he was heading it since then up to his passing. But Bronislovas Lubys’ work went beyond the borders of Lithuania. He was one of the co-founders of the Baltic Sea Business Summit in Stockholm and the European Business Congress; and he was the Council Member of the International Fertilizer Industry Association.

Bronislovas Lubys’ most impressive endeavours are neither in politics nor in business and business organisations. He stands out as a patron, supporter, and charity provider. It was his policy to share what he earned with the communities of Achema Group enterprises, with universities, young and arts people, and with Church. It is thanks to him that St Ann’s (Lith. Šv. Onos) Church from the Renaissance period has been preserved in Skarulių Village; International Mylokas Oginskis’ Festivals take place in Plungė; Kaunas University of Technology has got a modern chemistry laboratory; Jonava annually becomes the Republic of Jonas (John’s Republic) at Midsummer; there are a great number of publications about Plungė, Samogitia, and Lithuania. Bronislovas Lubys and Achema Group have supported a myriad of initiatives and projects in Lithuania. Bronislovas Lubys grudged no time and effort for various initiatives. He was Chairman of Plungė Community, Member of A. M. Brazauskas Foundation, and Chairman of Klaipėda University Council. I believe there will be a book about this area of his activity at some point of time even though he would not write about it. Just as he never mentioned numerous honourable awards from the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries.

Bronislovas Lubys has left a lot to us that will persist, with him no more. 

Aleksandras Abišala

Signatory to the 11 March Act of Independence