Lithuanian Season in France: The VU Signed a Historic Cooperation Agreement with the Prestigious Sorbonne University

On September 12, at the start of the Lithuanian season in France, Vilnius University (VU) signed a cooperation agreement with Sorbonne University. The agreement was approved with the signatures of the Rector of Vilnius University, Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, and the President of Sorbonne University, Prof. Nathalie Drach-Temam.

The two institutions have pledged to promote and develop cooperation in research and teaching in all areas of expertise common to both parties. This includes exchanges of faculty, staff members, and students at all levels. Also, joint degree programs, such as summer schools or co-supervised PhD programs, common research activities, scientific publications, and the organisation of joint events.

"Vilnius University's participation in the opening of the Lithuanian season in France is also significant from an institutional point of view. We have a good opportunity to establish a partnership with one of the oldest and most important universities in the world. We will sign a cooperation agreement with the President of the Sorbonne University before the bilateral conference starts. In this way, we will meet one of the key objectives of the season, which is to establish long-term and sustainable links between the institutions of both countries. In the run-up to the conference, Prof. Béatrice Perez, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities of the Sorbonne, visited our University and met with the heads of several faculties. The agreement will allow us to expand our cooperation in other fields of science as well", says Prof. R. Petrauskas, Rector of Vilnius University.

The signing of the agreement was attended by a delegation from VU, including Vice-Rector for Partnerships of Vilnius University Dr. Artūras Vasiliauskas, dean of the Faculty of Philosophy Prof. Jonas Dagys, dean of the Faculty of History Prof. Loreta Skurvydaitė, dean of the Faculty of Philology Prof. Mindaugas Kvietkauskas, historian and conference organiser Prof. Marija Drėmaitė, and advisor to the Rector Paulius Gritėnas.

Representatives from Sorbonne University also attended, including Guillaume Fiquet, Vice-President of International Relations and Territorial and Socio-Economic Partnerships, Élisabeth Angel-Perez, Vice-President of Research and Innovation, Béatrice Pérez, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Bernold Hasenknopf, Senior Advisor for European Commitment, Arnaud Magnin, Director of External Relations and Partnerships, Samantha Chareille, Director of International and European Affairs, Aurélien Roques, Deputy Chief of Staff of the President, and Marine Pirodeau, Attachée to the Vice President for International Relations and Territorial and Socio-Economic Partnerships.

An exclusive academic conference organised by Vilnius University and Sorbonne University will open the Lithuanian Season in France. The speech by Vilnius University’s Rector, Prof. R. Petrauskas, will mark the start of the event, signifying an important stage in the cooperation between the two countries.

Prof. Petrauskas’ presentation "Nuo paskutinės viduramžių karalystės iki modernios demokratijos: Lietuvos kelias į Europą" ("From the Last Medieval Kingdom to Modern Democracy: Lithuania’s Road to Europe") will open the event, which will bring together top-level researchers and political leaders. This will be followed by a presentation by Professor Céline Spector of Sorbonne University on "Natural and Sacred? Human Rights and Enlightenment’".

The opening session will take place at the Grand Amphitheatre (Le Grand Amphithéâtre de la Sorbonne) of the Faculty of Humanities of Sorbonne University, where the French and Lithuanian representatives will also give welcoming speeches. A joint musical performance of choirs from Sorbonne University and Lithuania will refine the event experience.

The conference "Lietuva ir Prancūzija: tolima kaimynystė, bendra patirtis" ("Lithuania and France: a distance neighbourhood – a shared experience") will take place at the Faculty of Humanities at Sorbonne University in Paris. It will address phenomena of mutual interest and recognition for both countries. The main topics will include the Enlightenment, the culture of modernity, and the role of imagination in it, as well as historical memory, which is important for both Lithuania and France as creators of European values.

On 13 September, three academic debates will be held, bringing together researchers from Vilnius University and Sorbonne University to explore the common experiences and exchange of ideas between the two countries.

Find more information about the conference and the event program at the provided link.