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The combination of science and poetry. The 85th anniversary of Prof. Antanas Žiliukas

KTU muziejaus virtualios parodos

On 30 October, Professor of Kaunas University of Technology, Habilitated Doctor of Technology, Engineer, and the first Chairman of KTU Senate, Prof. Habil. Dr. Antanas Žiliukas (1940–2025) would have turned 85. Unfortunately, the professor did not live to see his anniversary. Prof. A. Žiliukas cared about the University’s historical memory and preservation of its heritage. At the professor’s initiative, the historical Prof. Kazimieras Vasiliauskas Material Resistance Laboratory, established in 1923 at the University of Lithuania, and the collection of Prof. K. Vasiliauskas were preserved and transferred to the museum. In honour of the museum’s patron and friend, Prof. A. Žiliukas, KTU Museum prepared a virtual exhibition “The Harmony of Science and Poetry. The 85th Anniversary of Prof. Antanas Žiliukas”, which features photographs from the archives of the family of Prof. A. Žiliukas and KTU Museum’s funds. The exhibition was prepared by Dr. Audronė Veilentienė, Head of KTU Museum.

On the path of science and knowledge

Prof. A. Žiliukas was born on 30 October 1940, in Nariūnai Village, Zarasai District. From 1948 to 1951, he attended Romaniškiai Primary School. A gifted child was immediately admitted to the second grade. After graduating from primary school, he began studying at Salakas Secondary School. There, he was pressured to join the Pioneer organisation, but he refused and suffered physical and psychological abuse from the Pioneer leader, who considered him an enemy. After graduating from Salakas Secondary School in 1958, A. Žiliukas enrolled in the Faculty of Mechanics at Kaunas Polytechnic Institute, which he completed in 1963 and obtained a qualification of a mechanical engineer. “My native region of Aukštaitija and the prominent personalities associated with it inspired me to pursue the path of science and knowledge,” wrote Prof. A. Žiliukas in his book “Kalvų ir ežerų įkvėpti” (Inspired by Hills and Lakes) (2021). In 1963, he was appointed an assistant at the Department of Material Resistance of the Faculty of Machinery Manufacturing at KPI. In 1965, he enrolled in doctoral studies and in 1968, defended his candidate’s (now doctoral) dissertation in technical sciences. In 1971, A. Žiliukas was awarded the title of associate professor. At the institute, he again faced the problem of political beliefs – he was urged to join the Communist Party, but refused, even though he understood that this would prevent him from advancing to higher positions. A. Žiliukas pursued his scientific interests and became the first person in Lithuania to publish scientific articles on decay mechanics in 1970. The professor wrote about this in his poem “Kaitrios dienos” (A. Žiliukas. “Nuo aušros iki žaros”. Kaunas, 2023):

“I was delighted to discover

A new branch of mechanics in the world – the decay of materials.

I quickly dove into this science –

And inspiration took hold”.

At that time, this field was most developed in the USA and Japan, and to some extent in the Soviet Union (Moscow and Kyiv). While interacting with the most prominent scientists of Moscow and Kyiv at the time, A. Žiliukas chose the field of aviation and spacecraft reliability and began working in the design offices of closed factories that worked for the USSR military industry, where results were more important than belonging to a party or nationality. In 1989, at S. Korolev Aviation Institute in Samara, he defended his doctoral (now habilitated doctoral) dissertation on the reliability of aircraft and spacecraft. Although one member of the dissertation defence committee protested that a Lithuanian, who was not a member of the party, was defending his dissertation, the majority of the committee members, who were experienced scientists, ignored his opinion.

At the forefront of the science of decay mechanics

Since the 1990s, when Lithuania regained its independence and Kaunas Polytechnic Institute was reorganised into Kaunas University of Technology, A. Žiliukas has been actively involved in organising the new educational and research system of the Lithuanian universities, particularly focusing on the integration of studies and research. The professor’s activities resonated in all Lithuanian universities and research institutes and influenced the formation of the country’s science policy. As a member of the university’s qualification commissions in science fields and later doctoral committees, he initiated and participated in the development and improvement of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral study programmes. From 1992 to 2006, Prof. Antanas Žiliukas was the Head of the Department of Mechanics of Deformable Bodies at Kaunas University of Technology; from 1992 to 1996, he was the first chairman of the Senate of Kaunas University of Technology and the president of the first conference of chairmen of senates (councils) of

Lithuanian academic and research institutions. From 1994 to 2000, he was a member of the Research Council of Lithuania, and from 1996 to 2006, he was an expert member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.

Prof. A. Žiliukas is a pioneer in the field of decay mechanics in Lithuania, having formulated new criteria for strength and decay. In 2000, the professor established the Centre for Strength and Decay Mechanics at KTU, which conducted research for Lithuanian industry and foreign clients, mechanical testing of materials and structures, providing consultations on the design and operation of objects, organising conferences and seminars for specialists of various levels. The professor headed this centre until 2013. Prof. A. Žiliukas created and developed a school of scientific thought in research focused on strength and decay mechanics, polymer and composite mechanics, and dynamic strength.

Prof. A. Žiliukas published scientific monographs “Decay of Structural Elements” (1989), “Mechanics of Safety-Critical Structures” (2001), “Energy Mechanics” (2003), “Strength and Decay Criteria” (2006), and “Strength and Fracture Criteria” (2011, England). He wrote more than 250 scientific articles, was the author of seven textbooks and educational books, and led the group of authors of the “Dictionary of the Terms of Mechanics” (2019). 12 doctoral dissertations were defended under his supervision. He managed international projects to develop aircrafts with hydrogen fuel engines and safety and reliability systems for nuclear power plants. The professor was concerned with the implementation of scientific achievements in industry (e.g., in the field of ensuring the safety of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant) and made efforts to develop both fundamental and applied sciences in Lithuania. The professor also wrote and published publications on the history of science: “Department of Mechanics of Deformable Bodies, 1920–1995” (1995), “Close to the Limit of Strength” (2016), “Inspired by the Science of Mechanics” (2022), “The Path of the Senate of Kaunas University of Technology” (2023), and wrote the article “The Role of Strength and Decay Mechanics at the University” for the book “The Development of Science at Kaunas University of Technology over 100 Years”, which will be published later this year. For his long-lasting and productive scientific and academic work, and his contributions to society and the University, Prof. Habil. Dr. A. Žiliukas was awarded the title of professor emeritus. He was awarded a silver medal by the Mayor of Kaunas, Jonas Vileišis, for his contribution to the development of education and science in Lithuania and for promoting Kaunas City.

“Every day is an opportunity for self-expression”

“Every day is an opportunity for self-expression,” wrote Prof. A. Žiliukas in his book “Šviesa pro debesis” (Light Through the Clouds), and he lived his life according to this principle. While still a student at Salakas Secondary School, inspired by his Lithuanian language teacher Vytautas Šavelis and local poet Paulius Širvys, A. Žiliukas began writing poetry. He could focus more on this hobby after retiring. Prof. A. Žiliukas was the author of prose and poetry books and a member of the Lithuanian Independent Writers’ Union. He wrote and published the works of fiction “Pokario ąžuolų paunksnėje” (In the Shadow of Post-War Oaks, 2000 – Part I, 2004 – Part II) and “Šviesa pro debesis” (Light Through the Clouds, 2016), as well as the poetry collections “Saulė virš miško” (Sun Above the Forest, 2011), “Žalia spalva” (The Green Colour) (2014), “Laikas būti žmogumi” (Time to Be Human) (2015), “Šlamant Tėvynės ąžuolams” (Rustling Oaks of the Motherland) (2017), “Nenutilkit, varpai” (Do Not Get Silent, Bells) (2019), “Dorybė, kaip tekanti upė” (Virtue, Like a Flowing River) (2020), “Kalvų ir ežerų įkvėpti” (Inspired by Hills and Lakes, 2021), “Nuo aušros iki žaros” (From Dawn to Dusk, 2023). He was also the editor of the Zarasai Region writers’ almanac “Gimtinė gyva” (Motherland Alive, Zarasai, 2012), the almanac of the Lithuanian Independent Writers’ Union “Mieloji mano, rudenio žemele…” (My Dear Autumn Land…, 2017), the almanac “Vardą rašysim ant lako delnų” (We Will Write the Name on the Palms of Time, 2018), the international almanac “Tas rankų švelnumas” (The Softness of Hands) (2023), dedicated to the memory of writer and doctor Eduardas Selelionis, and co-author of the international poetry and prose spring almanac “Priimk pavasarį į širdį” (Take Spring into Your Heart, 2024), compiler and co-author of KTU Poetry and Prose Almanac (2020). The work of Prof. A. Žiliukas combines classical mechanics, spacecraft, aviation science, and knowledge of man and nature. The professor wrote that in his creative work, he tried to express moments of prose life in verse, and particularly wanted to highlight the connection between the professional, natural, and spiritual worlds. Themes of wisdom, spirituality, and morality are also very important in his poetry:

“Human power lies

not in wealth, but in dignity,

spiritual strength,

and the depth of a sensitive heart.” (A. Žiliukas. Poem. “From Dawn to Dusk”. Kaunas, 2023)