Artūras Zuokas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Artūras Zuokas
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| Mayor of Vilnius | |
| In office 19 April 2011 – 20 April 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Raimundas Alekna |
| Succeeded by | Remigijus Šimašius |
| In office 15 November 2000 – 8 April 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Gediminas Paviržis |
| Succeeded by | Juozas Imbrasas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 February 1968 Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Political party | Freedom and Justice |
| Children | 3 |
Artūras Zuokas (born 21 February 1968) is a well-known Lithuanian politician. He has been a journalist and a businessman. He served as the mayor of Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, for two periods: from 2000 to 2007 and again from 2011 to 2015. He also served in Lithuania's parliament, called the Seimas, from 2008 to 2009 and again starting in 2024. He has led several political parties, and since February 2024, he has been the chairman of the Freedom and Justice party.
Artūras Zuokas is famous in Lithuanian politics for his unique actions and ideas. He is one of the most recognized politicians in the country.
Contents
All About Artūras Zuokas
His Early Life and Career
Artūras Zuokas was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, on February 21, 1968. When he was young, his family moved to Jonava, where he finished high school. From 1986 to 1988, he served in the Soviet Army in Murmansk.
After returning to Lithuania, he joined the Sąjūdis movement. This group worked to help Lithuania become an independent country. He also became involved in youth politics. In 1989, he studied journalism at Vilnius University. He later worked as a war reporter in Iraq, where he reported on the Gulf War.
In 1992, Zuokas started his own news agency. He also worked in real estate and advertising. He helped bring famous companies like Benetton and McDonald's to Lithuania. He began his political journey in 1997.
His Political Journey
Zuokas became active in politics in the late 1990s. He supported Valdas Adamkus in the 1997–98 presidential election. In 1999, he joined the Liberal Union of Lithuania.
In 2000, Artūras Zuokas was elected Mayor of Vilnius. He was only 32 years old, making him the youngest mayor in the city's history. He served as mayor for two terms until 2007. In 2011, he was elected mayor for a third time, serving until 2015. Since then, he has run in every mayoral election in Vilnius.
In 2003, several liberal parties joined together. Zuokas became the first chairman of this new party, the Liberal and Centre Union. He led the party to success in the 2004 parliamentary election. He later stepped down as party chairman in 2009.
In 2011, Zuokas started a new party called YES - Homeland Revival and Perspective. He wanted this party to follow "responsible liberalism." This party did not win any seats in the 2012 election. In 2014, his party merged with others to form the Lithuanian Freedom Union (Liberals). He became its chairman.
Zuokas ran for Mayor of Vilnius in 2015 and 2019, but he was not elected. In 2023, he made it to the second round of the Vilnius mayoral election. However, he was defeated by Valdas Benkunskas.
Before the 2020 parliamentary election, the Freedom Union merged with other groups. They formed a new party called Freedom and Justice. On February 3, 2024, Zuokas was elected as the chairman of this party. He supported Ignas Vėgėlė in the 2024 Lithuanian presidential election.
His Unique Ideas and Actions
Artūras Zuokas is known for his creative and sometimes surprising actions.
The Republic of Užupis
Zuokas lives in Užupis, a special neighborhood in Vilnius. It's known for its artistic and free-spirited vibe. On April 1, 1997, the people of Užupis declared their neighborhood an "independent republic." They even have their own flag, constitution, and a self-declared president.
Zuokas was one of the people who helped start this fun tradition. He chose April 1st as their independence day. He also helped design their national symbol.
The Anti-Parking Stunt
In 2011, Zuokas wanted to show how serious illegal parking was. Especially when cars blocked bike lanes. He staged a stunt where an illegally parked car was crushed by an armored vehicle! This happened on a bike lane in Vilnius. The stunt was filmed for a Swedish TV show.
This event made Zuokas famous around the world. Later that year, he received an Ig Nobel Prize. This award is given for funny and unusual scientific achievements. He got it for showing how to solve the problem of illegally parked cars. In 2023, Zuokas said he might sue Netflix. He claimed their ad, where Arnold Schwarzenegger runs over a car with a tank, was similar to his idea.
Idea to Buy a Greek Island
In 2011, Zuokas had a big idea. He suggested that Vilnius should buy a Greek island called Oxeia. He wanted to turn it into a resort and investment area. He even proposed to name it Dausuva. This name referred to an old idea of a "reserve Lithuania." However, this idea was not put into action. In 2012, Qatar Holdings bought the island instead.
Collecting Celebrity DNA
In 2023, Zuokas shared a unique hobby. He revealed that he had been collecting DNA samples from famous people for twenty years! His collection includes samples from the President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, and even the Dalai Lama. He said he collected these samples in case of a global disaster. He claimed they could be used to clone these people.
Awards and Recognitions
Artūras Zuokas has received many awards and honors from Lithuania and other countries.
In 2001, the President of France, Jacques Chirac, gave him the National Order of Merit. He also received an award from the President of Latvia for helping improve relations between the two countries.
He was chosen twice as the vice-president of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. In 2002, the Junior Chamber International named him one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Persons in the World." The U.S. Baltic Foundation honored him in 2003. The Balzekas Museum in Chicago, Illinois, named him "Man of the Year." He has also received local awards, like "Friend of Architects." He won the popular Vilnius "Iron Wolf" award three times.
In 2003, Zuokas received an honorary degree from the Gediminas Technical University.
Images for kids
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Artūras Zuokas
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Artūras Zuokas at Vilnius University
