Summer History School: Ukraine and Lithuania Together for a Brighter Future! Five days, four cities, 30 participants.
From August 18 to 22, 2025, an international educational project titled “Summer History School: Dialogue of Youth from Ukraine and Lithuania” took place in Vilnius, Kernavė, Trakai, and Medininkai, aimed at strengthening Ukrainian-Lithuanian connections, enhancing academic collaboration, and forming an active civic stance among the youth.
Youth and scholars from both countries explored the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, worked with manuscript sources, attended lectures by leading scholars, and visited archaeological sites while studying urban history during field sessions.
A particularly impressive lecture was given by Professor Borys Cherkas on “Military Affairs in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania”, which took place in the throne room of Vytautas the Great at Trakai Castle.
The main objectives of the school included:
- engaging youth in understanding shared historical processes, particularly from the 14th to 16th centuries;
- familiarizing with recent research and primary sources;
- creating a platform for academic exchange, scientific collaboration, and intercultural dialogue;
- identifying directions for future research and joint initiatives.
“I realized that Lithuania was more of an ally to Ukraine than an aggressor. It was during this period that Ukrainian culture and the Orthodox Church survived despite external threats,” shared one of the participants.
This project is not just about the past. It is an investment in the future. The results of the school will be utilized in creating a digital archive of materials, a series of publications, and organizing new international educational events. The project was implemented by Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav in collaboration with the Lithuanian Institute of History and Vilnius University, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine within the framework of the competition for youth exchange projects between Ukraine and Lithuania in 2025.
