Defenders Day Commemoration at VMU Ukrainian Centre
On October 4, at the Ukrainian Center in the Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Education Academy in Vilnius, an event was held to commemorate Ukraine’s Defenders Day.
On October 1, Ukraine celebrates the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary. This day is dedicated to all those who defend Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity—those who protect their homeland daily, especially in the face of current Russian aggression. On this day, and every day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of those who defend our freedom and Ukraine’s independence, safeguarding Europe and the world from a terrorist state.
The event was attended by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Lithuania, Petro Beshta, and VMU Vice-Rector for Communication, Vilma Bijeikienė. The commemoration featured music by the Lithuanian Army Orchestra, led by Kapellmeister Major Egidijus Ališauskas and conducted by Captain Dainius Pavilionis. Ukrainian singer Nadiya Adamchuk performed, along with the vocal studio “Mrija,” directed by Aleksandra Vasiliauskė, and pianist Elena Bobovich.
In her speech, VMU Vice-Rector for Communication, Vilma Bijeikienė, emphasized the importance of the university and the Ukrainian Center in fostering educational, cultural, and social ties.
“Ukraine’s Defenders Day, which we are commemorating today, is incredibly important not only for the Ukrainian community but also for Lithuania and the world. It is a day of our boundless gratitude for the opportunity to live, to be Ukrainians, and to speak and read in our language. But it is also a day of remembrance for the fallen defenders! A day when we realize the immense price we all pay for our defense,” said the event’s host, VMU International Relations Coordinator, Laura Lapinskė.
The event was dedicated not only to commemorating Ukrainian soldiers, all those who fell and all those who are still standing defending their land. It was also an opportunity to collect necessary items, letters and postcards to send them to Ukrainian defenders.
Extending Support – Organizing Donation Campaign
The first shipment has already been delivered with the help of our sponsor Nova Post. Now we extend the collection of items for another two weeks and invite everyone to cooperate and donate the items that are truly vital at the moment.
As a university that focuses strongly on community values, inclusion, sharing, building strong networks and making alliances, supporting each other through hot and cold, we encourage everyone to join forces and collaborate for this donation campaign. Remember that you can contribute as much as you can and buy one necessary item together with your peers and colleagues. Every smallest contribution counts.
In addition, as our colleagues from the Ukrainian Centre remind us, let’s not underestimate the power of support letters and postcards that can be sent to our fellow Ukrainians. They really warm up hearts and empower the soldiers to continue the fight for Ukrainian freedom.
The event, titled With Warmest Regards from Lithuania, was already organised by the VMU Centre of Ukraine and VMU Centre of Mariupol State University in February 2024. It was a successful campaign that brought so many much needed things to Ukrainian fighters and heartfelt messages of gratitude and appreciation were sent back to us in the form of beautiful and touching video messages.
Let’s not forget that for more than two years now, Ukrainian soldiers have been defending not only the right to independence of their own country, but also the peace and independence of the entire Free Europe. Therefore, we invite you to unite in collecting extremely necessary things for everyday use for defenders who will meet every frosty day of this autumn and winter in a trench on the front’s first lines of defense.
Here is the list of necessary things to donate: thermal clothes in L and XL sizes, thermal socks in sizes 42-46, gloves, hats, buffs, insoles, power banks, headlights, rechargeable portable light bulbs. And, of course, your letters and postcards with words of support.
Here is the information about donation spots and times:
From October 14th till October 25th
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Location: Kaunas, V.Putvinskio g. 23 – room 309,
Time: Monday to Friday, 09:00–11:45 and 13:00–16:00.
Responsible person: Ganna Tron (ganna.tron@vdu.lt)
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Location: Kaunas, S. Daukanto g. 28, room 108
Time: Monday to Friday, 09:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00.
Resposible person: Kateryna Horiunova (kateryna.horiunova@vdu.lt)
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Location: Vilnius, T. Ševčenkos g. 31, room 222B
Time: Monday to Friday, 11:00–16:00.
Responsible person: Yevheniia Bessmertna (yevheniia.bessmertna@vdu.lt)
The collected items will be delivered to Ukraine either by the post services or with the support of the Ukrainian Embassy.
Training for the Future – Community Accelerator
For the third time, Community Accelerator Training programme will be organised as a joint effort of the Ukrainian Embassy, VMU Ukrainian Centre and The Office of the President of Lithuania.
This time, the training will bring together young Ukrainians who are working in various fields, non-governmental organizations, governmental institutions, and are part of various movements. The project will take place in Lithuania, between 22 – 26 of October 2024, and will engage 22 Ukrainians, 10 of whom will be temporarily displaced Ukrainians currently residing in Lithuania and 12 will arrive from Ukraine for the training. During the study visit, participants, aged between 18 and 29, will visit Vilnius and Kaunas and will get acquainted with the activities of the Ukrainian Center, such as the Youth Think Tank, the regional youth leadership network of the Ukrainian Centre, and the Saturday School of the Ukrainian Centre.
This project aims to provide community leaders with the necessary competencies to promote civic participation and empower their local communities. The participants of the project will get acquainted with various institutions and organizations operating in Lithuania that work with Ukrainians living in Lithuania and provide youth work services. During the study visit, community leaders will establish partnerships, and after the event, they will initiate community initiatives and future projects aimed at addressing relevant problems and challenges.
