Diploma of Memory: restoring the memory of lost heritage
Vilnius University is implementing a research-based initiative to remember and honour members of its community – students and staff who were expelled from the university during the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century. During the Nazi and Soviet occupations, hundreds of people lost the opportunity to complete their studies, continue their research, or pursue their academic careers solely based on their ethnicity, political views, or criteria imposed by the occupiers. The symbolic Memory Diploma is designed to commemorate their memory and acknowledge the university's responsibility for past events, while encouraging an open and critical approach to the history that shaped the institution.
Lithuania lost its statehood and became an arena for totalitarian regimes' social and political experiments. Vilnius University faced a severe trial as the academic community began to be dismantled, with the removal of ideologically unsuitable lecturers and students.
The first dismissals of academic staff for political reasons began. Several professors were removed from their positions, but the campaign did not gain full momentum due to a shortage of personnel loyal to the regime.
The 'purge' of students according to social and political criteria was limited, but nearly 800 students left the university during the autumn semester. The exact number of those forced to withdraw is unknown.
Mass deportations to the territory of the USSR affected the Vilnius University community. Many lecturers and students were deported, but the precise scale of the victims remains unclear.
During the Nazi occupation, all lecturers and students of Jewish nationality were expelled from the university. During the first months of the occupation, approximately one-third of the academic staff and one thousand students were lost due to racial and political motives. Many of the expelled members of Jewish nationality became victims of the Holocaust.
Lithuanian universities, including Vilnius University, were closed by the German occupation authorities, which accused Lithuanian intellectuals of obstructing mobilisation into the SS legion.
The Soviet occupation triggered a new stage of crisis. Fearing repression, several dozen lecturers and students retreated to the West. Only one-fifth of the previous students and approximately half of the academic staff began the new academic year.
Soviet repressive structures began arresting lecturers, seeking to extract information about colleagues and influence the academic community. Many scholars were repressed, whilst others were dismissed for political reasons.
Strict admission rules to universities were introduced, giving priority to young people from families loyal to the regime. This blocked the path for many talented young people, particularly in the field of humanities specialities.
The case of the Lithuanian Literature Department became a symbol of the occupation period. Five staff members were removed from the university due to political pressure, with part of the university community consenting or even assisting. This episode demonstrated the entrenchment of Soviet ideology at Vilnius University.