Lithuanian and Estonian First Ladies Visited Vilnius University

On July 6th, which is the Day of the State and the Day of the National Anthem in Lithuania, the First Lady of Lithuania, Diana Nausėdienė, met with the First Lady of Estonia, Sirje Karis, at Vilnius University (VU).

The First Ladies of the Baltic States, along with Prof. Edita Sužiedėliene, Vice-Rector of Vilnius University, and Assoc. Prof. Loreta Skurvydaitė, Dean of the Faculty of History of Vilnius University, visited the renowned F. Smuglewicz Hall at Vilnius University. During their visit, they viewed rare prints and manuscripts from the Library's heritage collections, including the only surviving copy of the Catechism of the German theologian Martin Luther (1483-1546), which was printed in Tallinn in 1689 and translated into Estonian. The First Ladies also had the opportunity to explore the VU courtyards.

As First Lady, S. Karis stands for the mental health and well-being of children and young people. She is a patron of the SOS Children’s Village, the University of Tartu Foundation, the Maternity Hospital Fund and the development of children and young talent. She graduated as a historian from the University of Tartu and attended the master's program in cultural organization. From 2006 to 2018, S. Karis was

the director of the Estonian History Museum and from 2018 to 2022, the director of the Tartu City Museum. The First Lady of Estonia is the chairperson of the council of the Estonian National Museum and a member of the Estonian Museum Association and the Estonian National Committee of ICOM (the International Council of Museums).