The Third VU Alumni Festival Invites You Back to the University to Explore Its Future Together

On 19 September, Vilnius University (VU) will hold its Alumni Festival for the third time. Alumni returning to their Alma Mater, together with their family members, friends, and the whole VU community, are invited to meet in VU’s historic courtyards, take part in discussions, a quiz, tours and other activities, and round off the evening with a concert by the band Biplan.

‘I invite all alumni and friends of the University to meet on Saturday, 19 September, at 14:00, in the Grand Courtyard and other spaces. It’s a chance to see your old coursemates, look back and reminisce about your student years, and find out what life is like at your Alma Mater today – and simply feel part of a large and valued community in the most beautiful setting in Vilnius,’ said VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.

This year’s festival will not only explore what connects alumni to VU and their student years, but also envisage the future of VU. With 2029 approaching, when VU will mark its 450th anniversary, the festival’s main discussion, ‘Vilnius University Approaches Its 450th Anniversary: What Does the Future Hold?’, will consider what kind of VU we want to be in the decades ahead.

Taking part in the discussion will be VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, education expert Dr Austėja Landsbergienė, lawyer Dr Vitas Vasiliauskas, film director Giedrė Žickytė, and Dr Martynas Barkauskas, CEO of ‘Light Conversion’. The discussion will be moderated by Prof. Jonas Dagys, Dean of VU Faculty of Philosophy. From their different perspectives, they will discuss VU’s ability to adapt to technological, demographic and global change, its role in society, and the mix of change and continuity needed as the University approaches its 450th anniversary.

Anyone unable to attend VU in person will still also be able to watch the main discussion, which will be livestreamed on YouTube in both Lithuanian and English.

A quiz with Paulius Ambrazevičius, the Biobank space, and activities for the whole family

The festival programme will begin before the main part of the event: from 11:00, alumni are invited to meetings at VU faculties and other academic units; from 14:00, the festival will move to the historic courtyards of the Central Campus of VU.

All festival guests are invited to test their knowledge in a quiz hosted by translator, comedian, and TV presenter Paulius Ambrazevičius. The questions will cover Vilnius, VU, and other topics, and everyone is welcome to take part – all you need is a phone with an internet connection. Prizes await the top players.

The festival will also feature the spaces of the VU Biobank and the Discussion Club, as well as a considerably expanded VU Children’s University space, ‘Grow with VU!’ – young festival-goers will be able to create and play here, as well as explore the human body, solve botanical and mathematical puzzles, and try their hand at STEAM activities, bookbinding, board games, and other educational pursuits. This year, the programme offers even more activities and a wider variety, so there will be something for both the youngest visitors and older children, too.

‘Gaudeamus igitur’ will resound beyond the Grand Courtyard

One of the highlights of this year’s VU Alumni Festival will be the singing of the student anthem ‘Gaudeamus igitur’. On 19 September, at 19:00 Lithuanian time, the community gathered in VU’s Grand Courtyard will join together in one voice. Alumni who are unable to attend the festival in person are invited to take part remotely.

VU alumni living abroad who wish to stay connected with Lithuania, VU, and its community are especially welcome to take part. Wherever they are in the world that day, singing ‘Gaudeamus igitur’ together at the same time will let them become part of the celebration in Vilnius, if only briefly – all they need to do is register.

Biplan will close the festival

In the evening, VU’s Great Courtyard will turn into a concert venue. Festival-goers will be treated to a performance by Biplan – one of Lithuania’s longest continuously active bands, which has been bringing together listeners of different generations for more than 30 years.

‘Labas rytas’, ‘O mes prie jūros’, ‘Amore’, ‘Kino filmai’, ‘Jūros gilumos akių mergaitė’, and ‘Anzelmutė’ are just some of the songs that, over the past three decades, have become familiar favourites across generations of listeners. On the evening of the festival, VU’s Grand Courtyard will come alive with these songs, inviting alumni, their families, and the entire VU community to gather together and celebrate by singing along.

The third VU Alumni Festival will take place on 19 September. The first part of the festival will begin at 11:00 at VU faculties and other academic units. Alumni, along with their family members and friends, are invited to the Central Campus of VU (Universiteto g. 3) from 14:00.

There’s no need to worry about unpredictable September weather, either – the organisers are ready to keep festival participants comfortable, come rain or shine.

The full festival programme, information about the activities, and registration details can all be found on the VU Alumni Festival website.