University traditions
University celebrations
Renovatio Studiorum
On the first day of autumn, the start of the new academic year is traditionally celebrated by the large community of Vilnius University.
Festive events at VU take place from morning until evening. The start of the new academic year is marked by traditions – students, lecturers, and administrative staff can watch the ceremonial raising of the Vilnius University flag and take part in a procession along Gediminas Avenue to the old Vilnius University building. The start of the academic year is also celebrated in each faculty of the university, and the celebrations culminate in the traditional Renovatio Studiorium ceremony, which takes place in the Great Courtyard of Vilnius University.
VU Birthday
The birthday of Vilnius University is an opportunity to appreciate and revisit history. The birthday is celebrated on April 1. On this day in 1579, the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, Stephen Báthory, issued a letter of privilege for the opening of the Vilnius Academy, and on October 30, Pope Gregory XIII issued a bull confirming the reorganization of the Vilnius College into a university called Academia et Universitas Vilnensis Societatis Jesu (Vilnius Academy and University of the Society of Jesus).
As we celebrate each new year of the university's existence, in addition to remembering its history, we would also like to invite you to another important event: a gathering of our diverse community.
In 2019, VU celebrated its 440th birthday for a week. The highlight of the celebrations was the initiative Recovering Memory, based on scientific historical research, and the Memory Diploma Award Ceremony itself. The other days were devoted to the now traditional community picnic at lunchtime, the international forum "The World After University," and debates between VU management, students, and alumni. As we celebrate our 440th anniversary, we are fulfilling our social mission and do not expect congratulations or gifts for ourselves, but instead offer intellectual, cultural, and educational gifts to the whole of Lithuania.
Finis anni academici
Traditionally, diplomas are solemnly presented to university graduates at St. John's Church. At the end of June each year, during the solemn ceremony Finis anni academici, the most deserving members of the community are honored, master's degree graduates whose studies and scientific activities have been recognized with Magna cum laude diplomas. The Finis anni academici ceremony ends with the traditional lowering of the VU flag, which we raise again at the beginning of the academic year.
Rector's inauguration ceremony
This is a ceremony during which the newly elected rector solemnly swears an oath to the university: to be faithful to the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and the statutes of Vilnius University at all times and in all circumstances; to spare no effort or ability in ensuring the prosperity of Vilnius University and the well-being of its community; to consistently defend the autonomy of Vilnius University, based on the principles of self-government and academic freedom; to represent Vilnius University appropriately, and to promote and publicize its name in Lithuania and around the world.
Honorary Doctorate Award Ceremony (Doctor honoris causa)
This is a ceremony during which the newly elected rector solemnly swears an oath to the university: to be faithful to the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and the statutes of Vilnius University at all times and in all circumstances; to spare no effort or ability in ensuring the prosperity of Vilnius University and the well-being of its community; to consistently defend the autonomy of Vilnius University, based on the principles of self-government and academic freedom; to represent Vilnius University appropriately, and to promote and publicize its name in Lithuania and around the world.
Student traditions
Vilnius University has excellent and widely recognized student traditions. Every year (usually in the spring), faculty days are organized. They usually start as student initiatives and eventually become part of the culture and national folklore.
Dinas Zauras and Physics Day (FiDi)
This is the largest student celebration in Lithuania, taking place every first Saturday in April since 1968. It is a celebration that has no equivalent anywhere else in the world.
FiDi is a tool for radical self-expression. Every year, scores of students implement the most unconventional ideas with minimal resources. These ideas manifest themselves as social campaigns, attractions, visualizations, walking dinosaurs, and things that are difficult to describe.
Probably the most anticipated part of FiDi for science enthusiasts is the daytime event. After spending a semester in the basement creating attractions, FiDi participants bring them to the Faculty of Physics and demonstrate what they have created.
The second part of FiDi is the parade. These are the most emotional moments of the celebration. Gediminas Avenue briefly turns into a road that leads the repentant physicists to the Faculty of Philology at Vilnius University. The police, the orchestra, the dancers, the crowd of beating hearts, and the handsome Dinas Zauras, the culprit of the celebration – all this is so that the girls will forgive him for what, according to legend, Dinas Zauras swallowed a philologist. Upon reaching their destination, the tribes of physicists and philologists unite, confirming this with an oath and a dance of the Philophysics tribe.
MIDI rock opera
MIDI rock opera is an event organized by students of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics (MIF) at Vilnius University since 1999. MIDI rock opera is organized by the VU student council MIF. The theatrical performance brings together not only students from this faculty, but also students from other faculties.
The first rock operas attracted mainly students and lecturers studying at MIF. Over time, the event attracted an increasing number of viewers, students from other departments, and journalists.
Fiesta Personæ
The Faculty of Philosophy held its first event in 2002. It was born out of the enthusiasm of several students and the newly established Student Council of the Faculty of Philosophy. Initially, the Faculty Days were called FilosDi (like the days of other VU faculties, FiDi, Midi, etc.), but since 2012, the celebrations have been called "Fiesta Personæ." Starting with the sung poetry evening "Bard'ako," a debate, and a book of creative works, the days have become more serious and substantial each year, attracting more and more people from the university and the entire city. Now it is the largest faculty celebration, whose goal is to promote creativity and personal development in society among the Vilnius University and city communities.
Chemists' Days
More than half a century ago, students from St. Petersburg University brought back the idea of organizing their own faculty days. Therefore, in 1965, a group of brave chemists from Vilnius University organized the first Chemists' Days. This celebration lasted only one day, but it attracted not only chemists from Vilnius University, but also other students. Due to its great success, chemists began to organize not only a one-day celebration, but a week-long event, which continues to this day and is organized by the Vilnius University Student Representative Council at the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences (VU SA CHGF).
Philologists' Nights
An event organized by the Vilnius University Student Council at the Faculty of Philology. Faculty Days are a wonderful university tradition, but philologists wouldn't be philologists if they didn't add a touch of romance to this tradition by replacing the days with nights.