News

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

The Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia is pleased to announce the 12th Baltic Student Conference "Bridges in the Baltics", which will take place in Riga, Latvia on October 9-10, 2025. The aim of the conference is to bring together students whose studies and research are related to the languages and cultures of the three Baltic States. It offers an opportunity to present academic work, exchange ideas with fellow students from other universities and countries, and establish new contacts across the region and beyond. The conference welcomes everyone who is currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree at any university in the Baltic States or elsewhere to submit proposals on any of the following aspects of the Baltic countries:

• language and literature;
• history, folklore and culture;
• arts, film and music;

modern technology and innovation in the Baltic societies; political and social developments in the Baltic region. The working languages of the conference are Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian and English. Everyone is welcome to give their presentation in any language mentioned above and we encourage using the languages of the Baltic States. However, the abstract and presentation slides should be in English. Please complete the application form providing the registration data and your abstract (not exceeding 200 words without references) by June 30. Letters of acceptance will be sent by July 10.

10-11 April, 9am the traditional and every year new Scandinavian Lecturers' Conference will take place in the Department of Philology, Room 92. This year's conference will look at Scandinavian literature from a queer perspective, challenging traditional, normative definitions of identity, especially (but not only) gender.

The event will bring together writers, performers and researchers from five Nordic countries to present their work and insights, contributing to the literary and cultural dialogue in the region. The conference is a great opportunity to explore the literary worlds of the Nordic countries and their influence on contemporary trends.

Participants and countries:

• Madame Nielsen (Denmark)
• Moa Backe Åstot (Sweden)
• Siiri Enoranta (Finland)
• Eva Rún Snorradóttir (Iceland)
• Robin Van de Walle (Norway)
• prof. Jenny Björklund (Sweden)

Lectures and discussions will be held in both Scandinavian and English.

The conference programme and more information about the participants can be found at the Scandinavian Studies Centre FB profile.

The conference programme can be found here.

The conference is organised by the Scandinavian Studies Centre guest speakers Kristian Nikolaj Rasmussen, Sturla Sagli, Taina Mylläri and Gun-Marie Margareta Larsson.

The conference is supported by the Nordic Council for Study Abroad (SNU), the Danish Cultural Institute and the embassies of Norway, Finland and Sweden in Lithuania.

Prof. Kęstutis Nastopka / Vilnius Universitety Library photo

The 2025 issue of Semiotika ("Literary Organon") is dedicated to the memory of the journal's founder and long-time editor, Professor Kęstutis Nastopka (1940-2024). The counterpoint is Nastopka's view that semiotics should not be understood as a canon providing a list of definitive answers, but as an organon - a constant quest. The professor's encouragement to test the theory with concrete analyses, primarily of literature and mythology, while remaining open to texts of all kinds and genres, orients this publication towards an organic style of questioning. The main subject of this issue - literature, and thus literary research - is not taken for granted value, but rather a theme that requires rethinking and discussions. Recalling Nastopka's idea that the questions arising for the researcher are always questions for himself, this publication proposes the following questions for consideration:

• What is remaining of the traditional definition of literature? What is the position of literature in the current media and art systems?  Do we already live in a post-literary world?
• What is the role of literature in the face of war conflicts, pandemics, and other cataclysms?
• Is literary theory still relevant?
• What are the perspectives of literary semiotics and the possibilities of links with other methods?
• Is there a mythic dimension to literature in contemporary texts?
• What is characteristic of the language of contemporary poetry?
• What is undoubtedly valuable, and what invites polemics in Kęstutis Nastopka's research?

The deadline for article submissions is July 31, 2025.

Semiotika is an open-access and peer-reviewed research journal. It publishes original papers in Lithuanian, English, and French. The journal does not charge article processing charges or submission charges.  Please refer to the Authors Guidelines section for more detailed information.