Spirit of Liberal Arts in Kaunas Atnaujinta: 2011-09-29 15:48:14

Many countries have at least one cozy city which has flourished after giving birth to a university. To this day, these cities remain a strong attraction because of their exceptionally creative and youthful academic atmosphere, exuding an aura of intellectuality. In the United Kingdom, such a rare gem of academic spirit is none other but Oxford; likewise, Italy has Bologna, Poland has Kraków and Estonia has Tartu. Kaunas is not just the most academic city of Lithuania – it has also served as the provisional capital during one of the most important periods of our country‘s history.

Kaunas is an interesting modern city enjoying fame for its intellectual atmosphere, friendly people, historical and architectural heritage of the interwar period, rich cultural life and traditions of different cultures.

Founded during the interwar, the University of Lithuania, now known as Vytautas Magnus University, was unique for its free spirit, immediacy of interaction between the students and the professors, active and interesting social life, a nurtured sense of community. Most of the famous contemporary intellectuals, high ranking Lithuanian officials and government figures have studied and worked in the university. The beginnings of the most famous scientific and cultural movements of the first independence period can be traced back to the university.

In 1930, commemorating the 500th anniversary since the death of the Grand Duke Vytautas, the Lithuanian University was granted the name of Vytautas Magnus. In 1950, after functioning for almost 30 years, the university was closed down by the Soviet government. Nevertheless, some of its faculties served as a foundation for other schools of higher education: Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Thanks to the emigrants, the academic tradition of VMU not only persevered, but also kept developing for long years until the restoration of independence.

The academic traditions of Kaunas are already almost 90 years old. In 2009, 20 years have passed since Vytautas Magnus University has been re-established due to the efforts of Lithuanian and Diaspora scientists. Today VMU is known for its dynamic academic community, where students, staff and the Alumni are all sharing the idea of the artes liberales university and cherishing historic traditions and values. The Lithuanian and foreign intellectuals have successfully achieved the goals they set, thanks to their contributions to the re-establishment of the university. Here, utmost importance is given to honesty, tolerance and dialogue, while the forerunning principles are liberal and democratic.

After the revival 20 years ago, Vytautas Magnus University remains an important driving force of the intellectual life in Kaunas. Academic, artistic and cultural life of the city is lively and blooming with variety. Thousands of young people come to study, live and work in Kaunas every year. Foreigners and Lithuanians, guests and tourists are attracted to the city by its world famous festivals of music, dance and visual arts, unconventional projects, museum collections, art galleries, impressive architecture of varying styles and eras.

The book “Revelations of Kaunas” is a different look at the city by the Vytautas Magnus University community. Personal tales introduce the most important moments of the city history, academic culture, art, architecture, photography, theatre and literature. It is an open invitation to discover and get to know them in Kaunas today.