Summer History School: Ukraine and Lithuania United for a Common Future
Summer History School: Ukraine and Lithuania United for a Common Future! Five days, four cities, 30 participants.
From August 18 to 22, 2025, an international educational project titled «Summer History School: Dialogue Between Youth of Ukraine and Lithuania» took place in Vilnius, Kernave, Trakai, and Medininkai, aimed at enhancing the ties between Ukraine and Lithuania, fostering academic collaboration, and forming an active civic stance among youth.
Youth and researchers from both countries explored the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, worked with manuscript sources, attended lectures by leading scholars, familiarized themselves with archaeological sites, and investigated urban history during field sessions.
A particularly impactful lecture by Professor Borys Cherkas on «Military Affairs in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania» took place in the throne room of Vytautas the Great at Trakai Castle.
The main objectives of the school include:
- engaging youth in the understanding of shared historical processes, particularly from the 14th to 16th centuries;
- familiarizing them with contemporary 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 than an invader for Ukraine. During this period, Ukrainian culture and the Orthodox Church managed to survive despite external threats,» shared one of the participants.
The project is not just about the past; it is an investment in the future. The outcomes of the school will be utilized to create a digital archive of materials, a series of publications, and to organize new international educational events. The project is implemented by Hryhoriy Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav in collaboration with the Lithuanian Institute of History and Vilnius University with support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine as part of the youth exchange project competition between Ukraine and Lithuania in 2025.
