On October 20, 2022, fourth-year students Antonina Kamelchik (bachelor’s program in ‘European Heritage’) and Roman Gankovich (bachelor’s program in ‘Visual Design’) organized a tour of the Vilnius University Library for first-year students at EHU.
The tour was led by Veronika Girininkaitė, a librarian from the Manuscripts Department, whom the senior students met during the Summer School dedicated to the legacy of Francysk Skaryna in Prague. Veronika dedicated the first part of the tour to a temporary exhibition of artifacts revealing the five-hundred-year history of printing in Lithuania. It began with «The Little Travel Book» printed by Francysk Skaryna, the pioneer, doctor, royal gardener, humanist, and native of Polotsk
The exhibits at the exhibition, including the Skaryna’s «Apostol» of 1525, allow tracing the development of printing in Lithuania from the 16th to the late 18th century. The exhibition is located in the František Smuglevičius Hall and is open to students until November 21, 2022.
The tour continued through various halls of the library and parts of the Vilnius University ensemble. The route started with the White Hall and the astronomical tower, through green courtyards and other usually inaccessible rooms, and ended in the vast baroque Church of St. Johns.
Students got acquainted with the library of one of the oldest universities in Europe, saw genuine old printed editions, and discovered an important location in the topography of the first year:
«Roma was a bit behind us because he tried to capture good shots, but he also deserves special thanks for it. He took his time, during which we could ask the guide questions and admire the incredible frescoes. Tonya is very nice) in general, the main thing is not the place, but the company! And the company was great… we also learned a lot of cool stuff!..»
Polina Metlitskaya, 1st year, bachelor’s program «European Heritage»:
«I was particularly impressed by the section with handmade astronomical instruments and globes. And the university itself impressed me. The interior and exterior are very rich in decorations, some small details or, on the contrary, large sculptures catch the eye. I also liked the frescoes in the halls and how they blend with the interior…
Alexandra Berezina, 1st year, bachelor’s program «European Heritage»
«We also visited the Church of St. Johns. I love baroque, so visiting this place was of special significance to me. The building looks stunning from the outside. Especially how its gothic features resonate with baroque decorations. Inside, the cathedral is no less beautiful…»
Materials prepared by: Roman Gankovich, Antonina Kamelchik;
Photo: Roman Gankovich.
