Vilnius University’s 447th Anniversary: Concerts, Orienteering, and Storytelling

On 1 April, Vilnius University (VU) will celebrate the 447th anniversary of its founding. To mark this occasion, the VU community and the wider public are invited to take part in a programme featuring both traditional events and special celebratory activities.

A range of activities: from orienteering to science 

On 26 March at 19:00, all members of the University community are invited to showcase their talents at the Talent Show in the Theatre Hall. Singers, musicians, acrobats, poets, dancers, and others with a unique talent are welcome to take the stage. Each participant will have two minutes for their performance, which will be evaluated by a panel of judges. Finalists will receive commemorative gifts, and the winner will be awarded a €200 prize. Registration for the Talent Show is open until 9 March.

On 28 March at 12:00, the University invites everyone to celebrate its 447th birthday in an active way at the fifth orienteering challenge, which will begin at the Central Campus. Participants will embark on a 90-minute adventure through central Vilnius, independently discovering various locations around the city. Everyone is welcome to join – individually or in teams, running or walking, regardless of age or fitness level.  The ‘OMaps’ app will be used during the event, and participants are advised to download it in advance. Those who have registered will receive instructions before the event and a printed map at the start. Register for the orienteering game here.

On 28 March at 19:00, the VU Chamber Orchestra will perform a gala concert at St Johns’ Church. The programme will feature distinguished Lithuanian performers: Šarūnas Kačionas (bassoon), Morta Kačion (oboe), Prof. Robertas Beinaris (oboe) of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and Indrė Kuleševičienė (French horn). The concert is free of charge and will last approximately an hour. Doors open at 18:30.

For the fifth consecutive year, VU will also host its science communication competition ‘Science Sprint’, as part of the anniversary celebrations. On 31 March at 18:00, teams of lecturers and students will compete at the ‘Aludariai Story Cellar’ bar (Aludarių g. 3). Their task will be to present a scientific study or compelling research idea in just three minutes. Presentations will be evaluated by a panel of experts from academia and the media, and the event will be hosted by TV presenter Eglė Daugėlaitė. As in previous years, the best teams will receive monetary prizes established by event partners. The main sponsor is ‘Thermo Fisher Scientific’. Register here.

‘Catechism’ exhibition and a ‘Ratilio’ concert

On 1 April from 10:00 to 19:00, ‘Catechism’ by Martynas Mažvydas will be on display in Smuglevičius Hall of VU Library. This tradition offers the public a rare opportunity to see the first printed book in the Lithuanian language, of which only two copies survive – one preserved at VU Library and the other at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Poland).

On 1 April at 15:00, a ceremonial session of the VU Senate will take place at St Johns’ Church, during which the title of Honorary Doctor will be awarded to Prof. Petras Repšys (Lithuania), Prof. Maurizio Ferraris (Italy).

In addition, on 1 April we invite you to tune in to the student radio station “Start FM” (94.2 MHz in Vilnius) and celebrate the 447th birthday of VU together. From 10:00 to 15:00 there will be a special birthday broadcast, during which listeners will be invited to join the programme live on air. Various members of the University community will be interviewed, discussing different aspects of university life – from student experiences to the university’s impact on society.

The VU Foundation will also invite supporters to mark the anniversary by making a symbolic donation of €4.47 to the VU Endowment Fund. Professionally invested and continually reinvested, this support generates long-term returns that fund scientific talent and provide lasting benefit to the University.

The VU anniversary celebrations will conclude on 1 April at 18:00 with a concert by the folklore ensemble ‘Ratilio’ in the VU Grand Hall (M. K. Čiurlionio g. 21). Members of the University community are invited to immerse themselves in living Lithuanian folklore – singing together, performing sutartinės (traditional polyphonic songs), dancing, playing games, and discovering the song collections compiled by Liudvikas Rėza. Participants are encouraged to bring a smartphone and wear comfortable shoes for dancing. More information about upcoming ‘Ratilio’ activities is available here.

Those who enjoy telling stories or listening to them are invited to attend the Storytelling Salon on 7 April at 19:00. The theme of the evening is ‘Surprise’, and the organisers encourage everyone to reflect on moments that caught them off guard: unexpected situations they’ve created for others or experienced themselves. Perhaps there were some memorable moments while studying or working at VU? The event will be hosted by storyteller Milda Varnauskaitė. Registration for listeners is available here, while those who wish to tell a story are invited to register by email at storytellingvu@gmail.com.

More information and the full programme can be found here.