Vilnius University has apologised and removed promotional material for its Russian studies master’s programme after backlash from students.
A student from the university’s Faculty of Philology contacted LRT via email, expressing shock at a poster promoting the Russian studies programme. The advertisement featured the phrase “Bridging East and West”.
“As a university student, I feel deeply ashamed of the university’s actions, and I can’t imagine how Ukrainian students at the university must feel seeing such an advertisement,” the student wrote.
Mindaugas Kvietkauskas, dean of the Faculty of Philology, told LRT RADIO that the poster’s wording had been poorly translated into English, leading to potential ambiguity. Once the issue was identified, the university removed the advertisement.
“It’s actually a good thing that a student noticed the ambiguity in the message. It shows that young people are thinking critically – exactly the kind of specialists we aim to educate,” Kvietkauskas said. “They won’t be swayed by propaganda, and that’s a very positive sign. The poster was removed immediately once we realised the issue.”
Pavel Lavrinec, head of the Department of Slavic Studies and the faculty member featured on the poster, also expressed regret.
“As the department head, I feel a certain responsibility for what we put out,” Lavrinec said. “The idea of ‘building bridges’ was poorly framed – we should have considered how it might be perceived from the outside.”
Currently, four students are enrolled in the Russian studies master’s programme. According to Lavrinec, the program is aimed at fostering deeper understanding and critical analysis of contemporary Russia.
Vilnius University has publicly condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine and ended all academic cooperation with Russian institutions.
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