Aivaras Stepukonis
Encyclopedia
Aivaras Stepukonis is a Lithuania
n musician and philosopher.
Stepukonis earned baccalaureate in theology and philosophy from the Franciscan University of Steubenville
in 1995 and master's degree from the International Academy of Philosophy in Liechtenstein
in 1997. In 2005, he defended his PhD thesis at the Lithuanian Culture, Philosophy, and Art Research Institute. In the same year he published monograph on Max Scheler
and sociology of knowledge
(Pavergto mąstymo problema: Maxas Scheleris ir žinojimo sociologijos ištakos; ISBN 9986638658). In 2007, he received a research fellowship from UNESCO
and Keizō Obuchi
to study of the University of Hawaii
.
He was vocals in a band called Pėdsakai (Footprints) from 1998 until 2001, when he decided to start a solo career. He was nominated as the artists of the year for the 2001 Bravo awards. In the national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest 2002
he placed second. Nevertheless, he was allowed to represent Lithuania
with the song Happy You
at the international final in Tallinn
because the winners B'Avarija
were disqualified. Aivaras was not very successful reaching only 23rd place. Since then Stepukonis has released three solo albums: eponymous Aivaras, Myliu arba tyliu, and Sage & Fool. After the second album he retired from the stage, working as composer and sound director with other artists.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n musician and philosopher.
Stepukonis earned baccalaureate in theology and philosophy from the Franciscan University of Steubenville
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Franciscan University of Steubenville is a Catholic institution located in Steubenville, Ohio, west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school was founded in 1946 by the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular. In 1974, Fr...
in 1995 and master's degree from the International Academy of Philosophy in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
in 1997. In 2005, he defended his PhD thesis at the Lithuanian Culture, Philosophy, and Art Research Institute. In the same year he published monograph on Max Scheler
Max Scheler
Max Scheler was a German philosopher known for his work in phenomenology, ethics, and philosophical anthropology...
and sociology of knowledge
Sociology of knowledge
The Sociology of knowledge is the study of the relationship between human thought and the social context within which it arises, and of the effects prevailing ideas have on societies...
(Pavergto mąstymo problema: Maxas Scheleris ir žinojimo sociologijos ištakos; ISBN 9986638658). In 2007, he received a research fellowship from UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
and Keizō Obuchi
Keizo Obuchi
was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives for twelve terms, and ultimately as the 84th Prime Minister of Japan from July 30, 1998 to April 5, 2000. His political career ended when he suffered a serious and ultimately fatal stroke....
to study of the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
.
He was vocals in a band called Pėdsakai (Footprints) from 1998 until 2001, when he decided to start a solo career. He was nominated as the artists of the year for the 2001 Bravo awards. In the national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest 2002
Eurovision Song Contest 2002
The Eurovision Song Contest 2002 was the 47th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place on 25 May 2002 at the Saku Suurhall Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
he placed second. Nevertheless, he was allowed to represent Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
with the song Happy You
Happy You
"Happy You" was the Lithuanian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002, performed in English by Aivaras....
at the international final in Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
because the winners B'Avarija
B'Avarija
B'Avarija is a musical band in Lithuania, which was formed in 1996.They won a lot of awards for best songs. They have made several attempts to win the Lithuanian national finals in order to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest but no attempt was successful.In 2002, they won the...
were disqualified. Aivaras was not very successful reaching only 23rd place. Since then Stepukonis has released three solo albums: eponymous Aivaras, Myliu arba tyliu, and Sage & Fool. After the second album he retired from the stage, working as composer and sound director with other artists.