In 2024, entrepreneur Rūta Grušnienė, an alumna of the VU Faculty of Philology, donated 100,000 euros to strengthen the Department of Ancient and Medieval History at the VU Faculty of History. A significant portion of the support funds will be used to establish the R. Grušnienė Endowment Fund within the VU Foundation, from which the returns on investments will support the department’s activities and initiatives. Part of the support funds will be used immediately.

“I am glad to contribute to the research of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania’s history, as knowledge of Lithuania’s past is incredibly important in today’s context. Understanding the statehood of the Grand Duchy shapes the Lithuanian mentality and self-awareness. This is my first step in supporting Vilnius University, and I do not intend to stop here. I invite everyone who cares about or is interested in Lithuanian history to contribute to the R. Grušnienė Sub-fund within the VU Foundation with donations of any size,” says entrepreneur Rūta Grušnienė.

Reception with the Rector of Vilnius University. From left: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liudas Jovaiša, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loreta Skurvydaitė, Rūta Grušnienė, Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, Giedrė and Ramunė Grušnytė, Justinas Noreika (Ugnius Bagdonavičius photo)

About the Department of Ancient and Medieval History

The Department of Ancient and Medieval History at the Faculty of History of Vilnius University was established in 1990, following the reorganization of the faculty’s structure. From 1990 to 1993, it was led by Prof. Habil. Dr. Mečislovas Jučas (1926–2019), from 1993 to 2006 by Prof. Dr. Irena Valikonytė, from 2006 to 2020 by Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Petrauskas, and since 2020, it has been headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liudas Jovaiša. The department’s research activities focus on the comprehensive understanding of the multicultural society of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The main research areas of the Department of Ancient and Medieval History are the study and publication of sources related to the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) and the structure and development of GDL society from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The department oversees the medieval studies specialization program within the bachelor’s degree in history and is a leader in medieval and GDL studies in Lithuania. The department collaborates with research centers from other countries that share GDL heritage (Poland, Ukraine) and with historians from other countries.

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You can also donate via a bank transfer:

IBAN → LT93 7300 0101 8669 1275 (Swedbank)
Payment purpose → Donation to Rūta Grušnienė Sub-fund
Recipient → Paramos fondas Vilniaus universiteto fondas (company code 304222713)

For contribution contracts over 14.5 thousand euros notarization is required. Vilnius University Foundation will take care of it. Contact us in a convenient way.