This year Vilnius University Library celebrates its 455th anniversary! On this occasion we invite everyone – members of the University community, those living in Vilnius and visiting the city – to attend Library events, traditional ones and those dedicated to the anniversary and thus join in the celebration of the jubilee year.
An exhibition dedicated to Matthias Casimirus Sarbievius
This year has officially been declared the year of Matthias Casimirus Sarbievius and the Baroque literature in Lithuania. To mark the occasion, on 19 March, Vilnius University Library opened the documentary heritage exhibition “On Two Baroque Stars, or Sarbievius and the Artistic Poetry”. The exhibition invites visitors to not only have a look at the literary pieces written by the alumnus of Vilnius University and the distinguished poet of Europe and Lithuania, but also to see some figured poems standing out by their graphical forms and some artistic elements thatwere inherent in the Baroque epoch. More information>>
Location: Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall
Open until: 28 September 2025
Academic attire of Petrus Skarga on display
On 1–2 April, members of Vilnius University community and the public will get a unique opportunity to see a part of the academic attire – a cape and a biretta – of the first Rector of VU Petrus Skarga. These historic relics preserved for more than 400 years were shown to the public for the last time in 1936. After nearly a century, they will be presented to the public on a special occasion, namely the inauguration of VU Rector Prof Rimvydas Petrauskas.
More information here.
Location: Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall
Date: 1 April | 10:00–19:00, 2 April | 10:00–17:00
Martynas Mažvydas “Catechism” on display
On 1 April, Martynas Mažvydas’ “Catechism”, the first printed Lithuanian book, will be on display at Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall of VU Library. The tradition to show the original copy of the book every year for a day gives a perfect opportunity for the general public to get a closer look at this significant piece of our cultural heritage.
More information in here.
Location: Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall
Date: 1 April from 10 am to 7 pm
Digital story “Two Friends, a Poem and Vilnius”
A documentary heritage exhibition titled “On Two Baroque Stars, or Sarbievius and Artistic Poetry” was opened at VU Library in March (more information: here). The first part of the exhibition is dedicated to the life and literary heritage of the poet, while the second part is dedicated to the artistic Baroque poetry. On 20 May 2025 the Library presents a new digital story of several exhibits in the exhibition – “Two Friends, a Poem and Vilnius”. The story connecting the documents from the first part of the exhibition is like a small piece of a puzzle of a bigger picture – a thread in the life narrative fabric of the Baroque poet Sarbievius. The link to the digital story can be found here.
Date: from 20 May 2025
Digital story “Five poems in shapes”
We invite you to explore the poesis artificiosa! The digital story “Five poems in shapes” based on the physical exhibition titled “On Two Baroque Stars, or Sarbievius and Artistic Poetry” (more information: here) will take you into the picturesque world of pattern poetry and will show its specificity and refinement. Speaking in the form of a rose, a pyramid, or other object, the poems will inevitably draw you into a fun game, where you will decode what is encoded in the different shapes, try to solve the riddles of the texts, and wander through the maze of letters.
By clicking on this link, you will enter this exciting story.
Date: from 27 May 2025
A tour around the invisible side of the Library
As Vilnius will be buzzing with the Night of Culture, we will invite you to attend tours around the Library in the old campus of Vilnius University. The Central Library still operates in the authentic 16th-century premises with impressive frescos and interiors. During the tours guides will show the invisible side of the Library, will recount stories about the rooms designated for various purposes, and will guide you around the places that usually are closed to Library readers.
Registration is required. We will be announcing it in May. Please follow our news and social feeds to get the latest updates and information.
Location: Central Library
Date: 13 June
Cinema at Vilnius University Library
The Scholarly Communication and Information Centre, a branch of Vilnius University Library situated in Saulėtekis, is a well-loved place for students coming here to read day and night. It is a place to enhance knowledge, look for answers, and have fun with friends. In September the Library will invite you to attend a cinema party, to take a break from your studies for a short while and get together for a film screening.
Location: VU Library SCIC
Date: October, 2025
We will be posting more information about the event in September. Please follow our news.
Exhibition Books created by artists: findings at Vilnius University Library
Books can be fascinating not only in terms of their content but also their appearance. Some books look more like an art object than an ordinary publication. They can be beautifully printed bibliophilic books, innovative product catalogues, or one-of-a-kind, unique books by an artist. In this exhibition, the Library will show a collection of artists' books and invite you to admire book creators' vivid imagination and creativity.
Location: White Hall
Date: Autumn, 2025
We will be posting more information about the exhibition in September. Please follow our news.
Open Science Conference at the SCIC
The last week of October is International Open Access Week. Traditionally, the Library marks this occasion with events dedicated to open access and open science. In 2025, the Library is holding an international conference where the latest updates, findings, developments, and open science practices will be presented to the academic community.
Location: VU Library SCIC
Date: October, 2025
We will be posting more information about the event in October. Please follow our news.
The History of Vilnius University Library
Vilnius University Library is the oldest academic library of national significance in Lithuania. Founded by the Jesuits in 1570, it operates in the same authentic premises until the present day. With the University’s buildings and courtyards, the Library forms an architectural ensemble in the Old Town of Vilnius, representing the history of scholarly and cultural progress in Lithuania.
While celebrating the 455th anniversary of the Library, a book on its rich history will be presented to the academic community and the public. It will give an overview of the evolution of the idea of the University Library over the centuries, introduce the most distinguished people of the Library, present the invaluable treasures of the Library collections, and tell more about the history of the buildings of Vilnius University Library.
We will be posting more information in a while. Please follow our news.
2025-03-21