Vilnius is celebrating! It has been 700 years since the name of our city was mentioned in written sources – in a letter of Grand Duke Gediminas to the cities of Germany – for the first time. Situated in the very heart of the old town, Vilnius University Library sends greetings to its hometown and invites all citizens of Vilnius to attend the events dedicated to the occasion.
An online seminar “The City of Printing Houses: 700 years for Vilnius”
Vilnius University Library, together with the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, will give an online seminar dedicated to the various aspects of the history of Vilnius printing. The seminar will present the activities of printing houses that operated in Vilnius in the 16th – 18th century and give an overview of the specific features of Vilnius printing in terms of its authors, patrons and engravers of books, book content, typographic decorations and other.
When: 26 January 2023, 4 p.m.
Where: Zoom platform. More information and access codes here.
The DNA of the Lithuanian Language and Literature: exhibition and tours
The capital of Lithuania – Vilnius – is closely related to the Lithuanian language and its history. Vilnius University Library supports the initiative that has been launched in Lithuania as early as the year 2015 to mark the Days of the Lithuanian Language. For the occasion, the Library will invite everyone to attend the exhibition “The DNA of the Lithuanian Language and Literature”. The exhibition will show the most distinguished authors of our country and their writings. The major part of exhibits is manuscripts. Guided tours will help to explore the manuscripts and refresh the knowledge about the best Lithuanian literary creations. The event might be interesting for schoolchildren of different ages.
When: 17 February – 10 March
Where: Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall, Universiteto str. 3
An online exhibition Academic Vilnius: Culture of Theses of the Old University
The Jesuits are the founding fathers of higher education in our country. In 1579, they established Vilnius University that has had an immense impact on not only the academic and cultural life of Lithuania, but also of Central and Eastern Europe and that educated many generations of scientists and researchers. Since the very beginning, the University has been awarding scientific degrees, including the highest one – a doctoral degree – which was awarded after the successful defence of theses or dissertation. By seeing this digital exhibition, you will get an impression of how the first scholarly papers looked like.
When: 1 April 2023
Where: Google Arts and Culture platform
Exposition of “Catechism” by Martynas Mažvydas
This year Vilnius University Library will continue in the tradition and will provide an opportunity to all willing to see the first printed Lithuanian book – the original copy of “Catechism” by Martynas Mažvydas. Publishing of this book in 1547 in Königsberg, has marked a new epoch in the history of the Lithuanian language – it marked the beginning of the Lithuanian literary language – an important tool for cultural life of the Lithuanian nation – and its growth. It is thought that the book was printed in 300 copies, however, at present there are only two copies of the book in the world. One of them is kept in Vilnius University Library and the other in Toruń.
When: 3 April 2023
Where: Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall, Universiteto str. 3
An exhibition in Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall of VU Library
An exhibition dedicated to the history of Vilnius city will open in May in Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall. Various documents – manuscripts, books, official documents and letters – will reveal numerous events of the city life, processes of culture and arts, development of science, as well as introduce outstanding personalities whose work made a great impact not only on the city but also on the entire Lithuania. The exhibition will also contain some old photos, maps and graphic prints of the city.
When: May 2023 – 15 October 2023
Where: Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall, Universiteto str. 3
Theatrical tours around Vilnius University Library
Many tourists and quests of our city, including leaders of other countries, state officials and members of royal families visit the old campus of Vilnius University. Visitors are shown spectacular halls, reading rooms of the Library and a maze of endless corridors, the Church of Saint Johns, courtyards (as many as 13) that are situated in the premises of the centuries-old University. During theatrical tours, members of VU community, citizens and quests of Vilnius will be invited to explore the most attractive spaces of Vilnius University and listen to unheard stories related to the place.
When: 16 June 2023
Where: VU Library, Universiteto str. 3
We will soon provide more information on the scheduled and additional events, so please follow our news on the website of VU Library and on our Facebook account. There we will share some interesting Vilnius stories that are kept at Vilnius University Library.
2023-01-25