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On 16-18 June, Vilnius University and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania will host the “16th MOISA International Conference: Music, Memory and Identity”. The 16ᵗʰ MOISA conference aims to explore the connections between music, memory, and identity in Greek and Roman Antiquity. Music played a significant role in maintaining and transmitting cultural memory, enabling people to recall the distant past, both mythological and historical. It allowed the ancients to distinguish between what they regarded as their own and what they attributed to the domain of others. Through rhythmic and metric patterns, along with phonetic nuances, music served as a mnemonic tool, guarding against forgetfulness and facilitating the recollection of the past. Iconographic representations, literary works and realia shed light on the diverse traditions and underlying rationale for the use of specific instruments and practices, such as in warfare, religious rituals, or public performances. The role of music also benefits from exploration in terms of physical memory, including perspectives from medical and physiological studies.

You can find more information at the following link >>

The 46th ICAME (International Computer Archive of Modern and Medieval English) Conference ‘Per Corpora ad Astra: Exploring the Past, Mapping the Future’ will be held at Vilnius University, Faculty of Philology on 17–21 June 2025. Over 100 researchers from 19 countries will participate in the conference, which will focus on corpus linguistics, newest language technologies as well as statistical, diachronic and synchronic language research.  Keynote lectures will be given by Prof. Rūta Petrauskaitė (Vytautas Magnus University), a pioneer of corpus linguistics in Lithuania, and Prof. Rosa Lorés (University of Zaragoza), a researcher of digital science communication, a rapidly growing field of interest for linguistics and communication. Dr. Lukas Sönning (University of Bamberg) will present data visualisation techniques and Prof. Sebastian Hoffmann (University of Trier) will review the opportunities and challenges of using audio data in corpus linguistics.

“It is very significant that the International Computer Archive of Modern and Medieval English Conference has finally come to Vilnius University”, says prof. Jolanta Šinkūnienė, ICAME Board member and Chair of the ICAME46 organising committee. “Vilnius University continues to keep its strong position in the field of humanities in the latest global university subject rankings, ‘QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025’. Linguistics at Vilnius University has the highest ranking of all fields, 251–300th in the world. This international corpus linguistics conference will provide opportunities to strengthen ties between Vilnius University and scholars from leading research centers in Europe and beyond. Establishing new international networks is extremely important in the increasingly competitive international research arena”, notes prof. Šinkūnienė.

The ICAME46 conference will start with three pre-conference workshops on 17 June and will continue until lunchtime on Saturday (21 June).

Conference website:

Conference programme:

Book of Abstracts:

Congratulations on defending your thesis and successfully completing your studies at the Faculty of Philology! Don't forget to pay the University and sign the Diploma Registration Register. More information about this >

The graduation ceremony will take place on 20 June, in two streams, for the graduates of the different programmes. The celebration will traditionally take place at St. John's Church at 10 am and will last until 3 pm. The estimated duration of each stream is 1,5-2 hours.

Facebook event >

Diplomas will be awarded to all in stream I from 10.00:

• English Studies (postgraduate)
• English Philology (undergraduate)
• Intermedial Studies of Literature (postgraduate)
• Italian Philology (undergraduate)
• Linguistics (postgraduate)
• Lithuanian Philology (undergraduate)
• Literary Anthropology and Culture (postgraduate)
• Semiotics (postgraduate)
• Scandinavian Studies (undergraduate)
• Languages and Cultures of the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region (postgraduate).

For graduates of the following programmes.

In stream II, from 13.00, diplomas will be awarded to all:

• English and Another Foreign Language (undergraduate)
• Spanish Philology (undergraduate)
• Classical (Latin and Ancient Greek) Philology (undergraduate)
• Classical studies (postgraduate)
• Polish Philology (undergraduate)
• French Philology (undergraduate)
• Russian Philology (undergraduate)
• Translation (undergraduate)
• Translation (postgraduate)
• German Philology (undergraduate)

For graduates of the following programmes.

The event will be photographed and the photos will be available on the Faculty's Facebook account.

Please also note that gowns are not a tradition of our University. You would look much nicer wearing university caps or even national dress. Caps can be purchased here > VU merchandise will also be sold during the celebrations.

The recommended dress code is formal.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Hungarian Lecturer in Vilnius University, István Báthory Cultural Association of Hungarians in Lithuania, the Embassy of Hungary in Vilnius and the Hungarian Lecturer organizes an international scientific conference on teaching less widely taught languages. The blended conference takes place at Vilnius University and online on 16-17 May 2025.

International and Lithuanian applied linguists and language teachers are welcome at the conference to share their professional experience and scientific research.

Registration for speakers is open until 5 May 2025. More information is available at www.lvd.lt/conference/ 

Photo by Arturas Valiauga

Blended Intensive Program (BIP) under the Erasmus+ Program “Orient in Lithuania and Turkology Studies” will take place from the 12th of May 2025 till the 16th of May 2025 at Vilnius University Faculty of Philology. This international event will bring together over 30 Turkology scholars from Türkiye, Poland, Germany, Austria, and Lithuania to share their academic insights and cultural experiences.

Participants will enjoy an intensive academic and cultural programme: lectures, workshops, and discussions on Turkology, including topics such as the history of the Lithuanian language, Orientalism in Lithuanian literature, and research on Karaimic and Tatar studies.

The week will also feature guided tours, exhibitions, museum visits, and cultural events, offering the opportunity to explore the traditions of Lithuania's Turkic communities (Karaims and Tatars) and enjoy traditional Lithuanian, Karaim, and Tatar cuisine.

Opening Ceremony will take place on the 12th of May 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Room 118 (V. Krėvės), Faculty of Philology, Vilnius University (Universiteto str. 5, Vilnius).

The programme can be found here.

Organised and supported by:

Erasmus+ Programme

Vilnius University, Faculty of Philology

Vilnius City Municipality

Highlights from last year's discussion / Simonas Lukoševičius photo

On 20 May, the Faculty of Philology at Vilnius University will host the interfaculty academic debate in English, Discourse and Society. The event will feature student teams from four faculties: Philology, Philosophy, Law, and Economics and Business Administration.

This debate marks the culmination of the joint university course Academic Debate, which is part of the English Philology programme offered by the Faculty of Philology. The primary aim of the event is to foster critical thinking, enhance interfaculty dialogue, and strengthen engagement and cooperation within the academic community. Participants will apply their skills in argumentation, public speaking, and critical analysis to explore three timely and thought-provoking topics: the impact of technology on social cohesion, the robotisation of the labour market, and the challenges of leadership in contemporary society.

Highlights from last year's discussion / Simonas Lukoševičius photo

Dr. Linara Bartkuvienė, Chair of the English Philology Study Committee, highlights the broader value of academic debate: “Debating is not only a way to apply academic knowledge, but also a reflection of personal maturity and emotional intelligence. It cultivates logical reasoning, critical thinking, and the ability to listen, respond to criticism constructively, and defend one’s position with integrity. Debate is not solely about winning—it is about respectful dialogue, understanding different perspectives, and developing empathy, communication, and inner poise.”

Professor Mindaugas Kvietkauskas, Dean of the Faculty of Philology and ambassador of the event, adds: “Academic debates are a long-standing tradition at many prestigious universities in Europe and the UK, and the VU Faculty of Philology is proud to carry it forward. This format deepens our understanding of contemporary societal challenges and encourages fact-based, logical, and research-informed discussion. Discourse and Society offers both an intellectual challenge and a platform for cultivating thoughtful, articulate individuals who can engage in meaningful public discourse.”

Highlights from last year's discussion / Simonas Lukoševičius photo

The debating students will be adjudicated by an independent panel of experts, comprising professionals in their respective fields: Jonathan P. Herzog, a diplomat from the U.S. Embassy; Mark Pass, a diplomat from the U.K. Embassy; and Professor Artūras Vasiliauskas, Vice-Rector for Partnerships at Vilnius University.

The debate will take place on 20 May at 17:00 in the V. Krėvės Auditorium, Faculty of Philology (Universiteto St. 5). The event will be moderated by Associate Professor Liudmila Arcimavičienė from the Faculty of Philology. The debate will be conducted in English. We warmly invite the entire academic community to participate—come watch the debates, support your faculty’s team, and engage in a dynamic event where critical reasoning, public speaking, and interdisciplinary dialogue come together.

The programme of the event can be found here.

 Image credit: Patricija Česonytė

Discourse Magazine is back – and this time, we’re diving into the world of genre writing!

Do you live for the thrill of detective fiction, the eerie beauty of horror, or the wonder of fantasy and sci-fi? Is your heart in historical fiction, magical realism, or timeless romance? This issue invites you to explore and reflect on the genre that speaks to you most – the one that first made you fall in love with stories, shaped your voice, or changed the way you see the world.

Whether you write prose, poetry, or nonfiction, we want your work – and your reflections on why genre matters.

Deadline: June 30

More info & submission guidelines can be found here.

We are delighted to invite you to the 1ˢᵗ Student Conference on Linguistic and Intercultural Research, which will take place on-site on 6 May 2025 at the Institute of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Philology, Vilnius University. This event aims to bring together students to exchange insights and research findings on topics related to linguistics and intercultural communication.

Join us for a face-to-face gathering where we can connect, share ideas, and collaborate in person!

Programe