With Kaunas being temporary capital in the period between 1919 and 1939, a large part of Lithuanian intelligentsia, political and economic elite concentrated in the city and created the image of Kaunas as a cradle of culture which survived to this day.
Kaunas has been developing for many centuries and experienced many ups and downs. The city and its castle were first mentioned in historical chronicles in 1361 by Arabian geographer Alldris Kaunas was a medieval trading centre and its Castle served as an important stronghold against the attack of the Crusaders. In 1408 under the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas the Great the city was awarded the Magdeburg rights acquiring the status of municipal autonomy. Continuous wars with neighbouring countries ended in the final division of the Lithuanian-Polish state in favour of Russia, Prussia and Austria and in 1795 Kaunas and the largest part of Lithuania were subordinated to the Russian Empire for more than one century.
For twenty years between the two world wars Kaunas was the capital of a short-lived Republic of Lithuania, which can be considered the Gold Age of the city. During the Soviet occupation followed after the Second World War Kaunas became the symbol of Lithuania’s’ statehood.
The centre of Kaunas is divided into the Old and the New Town. The Old Town is a remarkable archaeological monument and an architectural masterpiece incorporating Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. It is a concentration of the ancient architectural monuments, such as the remnants of the 13th century castle, the impressive Town Hall, popularly known as the White Swan, and the Vilnius street, a characteristic trade street of the Middle Ages. The New Town is represented by the Laisves Aleja, a central pedestrian street often called the „Heart of Kaunas“ where numerous hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars are located. Kaunas is famous for M. K. Ciurlionis Art Gallery, where you can find the unique collection of works painted by the famous Lithuanian painter and composer M. K. Ciurlionis.
Kaunas has old traditions of annual events – such as Kaunas Jazz Festival, Hanza Kaunas, Pažaislis Music Festival, the Bike Show Millennium, International Modern Dance Festival, Operetta at Kaunas Castle, etc.
More information about Kaunas city:
About Kaunas City
With Kaunas being temporary capital in the period between 1919 and 1939, a large part of Lithuanian intelligentsia, political and economic elite concentrated in the city and created the image of Kaunas as a cradle of culture which survived to this day.
Kaunas has been developing for many centuries and experienced many ups and downs. The city and its castle were first mentioned in historical chronicles in 1361 by Arabian geographer Alldris Kaunas was a medieval trading centre and its Castle served as an important stronghold against the attack of the Crusaders. In 1408 under the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas the Great the city was awarded the Magdeburg rights acquiring the status of municipal autonomy. Continuous wars with neighbouring countries ended in the final division of the Lithuanian-Polish state in favour of Russia, Prussia and Austria and in 1795 Kaunas and the largest part of Lithuania were subordinated to the Russian Empire for more than one century.
For twenty years between the two world wars Kaunas was the capital of a short-lived Republic of Lithuania, which can be considered the Gold Age of the city. During the Soviet occupation followed after the Second World War Kaunas became the symbol of Lithuania’s’ statehood.
The centre of Kaunas is divided into the Old and the New Town. The Old Town is a remarkable archaeological monument and an architectural masterpiece incorporating Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. It is a concentration of the ancient architectural monuments, such as the remnants of the 13th century castle, the impressive Town Hall, popularly known as the White Swan, and the Vilnius street, a characteristic trade street of the Middle Ages. The New Town is represented by the Laisves Aleja, a central pedestrian street often called the „Heart of Kaunas“ where numerous hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars are located. Kaunas is famous for M. K. Ciurlionis Art Gallery, where you can find the unique collection of works painted by the famous Lithuanian painter and composer M. K. Ciurlionis.
Kaunas has old traditions of annual events – such as Kaunas Jazz Festival, Hanza Kaunas, Pažaislis Music Festival, the Bike Show Millennium, International Modern Dance Festival, Operetta at Kaunas Castle, etc.
More information about Kaunas city:
About Lithuania
-
- The name of the state: The Republic of Lithuania
- The state flag: Tricolour- yellow, green, red.
- The state emblem: The Vytis (The White Knight) against the red background .
- The state anthem: Tautiska Giesme by V. Kudirka
- The state language: Lithuanian
- The state capital: Vilnius
- Total area of the state: 65 200 sq. km
- Population: Around 3 185 883 million
- Main religion: Roman Catholic
- Monetary unit of the state: Litas, 1 litas = 100 cents ≈ 0.29 euro
- The main law: The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania (enacted 25.10.1992)
- Bordering on: Latvia – 610 km; Poland – 104 km; Russia (Kaliningrad region) – 295 km, The Baltic Sea – 99 km.
- The highest point: Aukstasis kalnas (293,84 m).
- Lithuania boasts: 816 rivers longer than 10 km, 17- longer than 100 km; 2834 lakes larger than 0.5 ha
- The largest cities of Lithuania: Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai, Panevezys
- Resorts: Palanga and Neringa – seaside resorts; Druskininkai and Birstonas – inland health resorts
History
The first Baltic tribes settled on what is now known as Lithuanian territory in the 7th-2nd centuries BC. Lithuania was mentioned for the first time in Qedlinburg Annals in 1009. The Lithuanian State was formed in the early 13th century when the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was established by the Duke Mindaugas who was crowned as the first King of Lithuania in 1253. By the 14th century Lithuania developed into one of the most powerful states in the Eastern Europe. Almost for the whole two centuries the newly established state had been invaded by the Teutonic Knights, though Lithuania was not conquered. In the 14th and 15th centuries, during the rule of the duke Vytautas the Great, Lithuania was one of the largest states in Europe, extending from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, at the same time it was the last country in Europe to accept Christianity. Lithuania progressively entered European culture. The Renaissance brought marked cultural advances – the first Lithuanian book was printed in 1547, and Vilnius University was founded in 1579. Signing the Union Act in Lublin in 1569, Lithuania and Poland formed a Commonwealth (Rzeczpospolita). After partitioning of the Commonwealth in 1795, Lithuania was incorporated into Russia. For more than a century Lithuania had to fight against the Tsarist oppression when Lithuanian schools, language and press were banned. On February 16, 1918 the Council of Lithuania proclaimed the reestablishment of the Independent State of Lithuania. The Republic of Lithuania existed only for a very short period of time until the World War II. In 1940 Lithuania was occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union and remained under its authority for fifty years. In 1988 a national movement started leading to one of the remarkable historical dates – March 11, 1990 when the Supreme Council declared the restoration of Lithuanian independence.
Geography
Lithuania is the largest and southernmost of the three Baltic States, having 99 km of coastline by the Baltic Sea. The territory of Lithuania covers 65200 sq. km and is larger than Denmark, Holland, Switzerland or Belgium. Lithuania borders with Latvia, Belarus, Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Forming an extension of the East European plain, Lithuania is a land of outstanding scenic beauty with thousands of lakes, meandering rivers and ancient woodlands. There are over 2800 lakes, 29 thousand rivers or streams, and 5 national parks.
On the basis of the traditionally developed differences in the character, dialect, houses and cuisine of the people, Lithuania is divided into 4 ethnographic regions: Zemaitija, Aukstaitija, Dzukija and Suvalkija. One of peculiar facts about Lithuania is that the geographical centre of Europe was determined to be 24 km north of the capital Vilnius.
Language
The Lithuanian language is the oldest of the living Baltic tongues and belongs to the family of Indo-European languages. Having formed in the 5th century AD, Lithuanian is rich in dialects and regional accents. The formation of Literary Lithuanian started with printing of the first Lithuanian book by Martynas Mazvydas in 1547. Lithuanian alphabet is Latin-based and has 32 letters. Today Lithuanian is spoken by approximately three million people in Lithuania and by about a million people living in other countries (Ireland, UK, USA, Australia, Brazil, Belarus, Canada, Latvia, Poland, Russia, etc.)
All correspondence and official communication is conducted in Lithuanian. English is mostly spoken among youth, while the older generation speaks Lithuanian and often Russian. However, people are in general helpful to communicate with foreigners. Remember that body language is international! A list of common words and expressions is presented at the end of this guide. Try to learn some words. It is especially useful when you go shopping in the supermarket. Reading labels is tricky otherwise.
Money
Local payments are in the national currency – the Litas (1 Lt =100 cents), 1 euro ≈ 3,4528 Lt. Most establishments accept major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, EuroCard and more rarely – American Express, Traveller’s cheques are not accepted by retailers and can only be changed in banks or currency exchange offices. Banks give cash advances on most credit cards and transfer cash by wire. Rates at currency exchanges (Valiutos keitykla) do not differ much from one exchange to another. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the banks or currency – exchange bureaus that operate in hotels, shops, airports and railway stations.
Population and Religion
The population of the country is 3 263 100. The ethnic composition is represented by 84.00% of Lithuanians, 4.9% of Russians, 6.1% of Poles, and 2,4% of other minorities.
The majority of Lithuanian population is Roman Catholics. In addition, Lithuania has long established communities of Old Believers, Evangelical Lutherans, Orthodox Christians, Reformed Evangelicals, Eastern Rite Catholics, Moslems, Jews and Karaites. The followers of all religious confessions are held equal before the law.
National Holidays
- January 1 – New Year Day
- February 16 – Day of Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania (Independence Day)
- March 11 – Day of Restitution of Independence of Lithuania
- 1st Sunday that follows the first full moon after the vernal equinox – Easter (in the Western Christian tradition. Easter can fall as early as March 22 and as late as April 25)
- May 1 – International Labour Day
- First Sunday of May Mother’s Day
- June 24 – St. John’s Day, Midsummer Day (Joninės, Rasos)
- July 6 – Day of the Statehood (the Crowning Day of the Lithuanian King Mindaugas)
- August 15 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Day (Žolinės)
- November 1 – All Saints’ Day (Vėlinės)
- December 24 – Christmas Eve
- December 25-26 – St.Christmas
Local Time
Lithuania lies in the Central European Time zone (GMT + 2 hours, the same as Helsinki, Riga and Tallinn).
Emergency Telephone Number: 112
Dial this number from all public telephone networks anywhere in Lithuania. Calls to this number are free of charge at any time of the day, from any service provider, mobile or fixed line. Dial this number to report criminal offences, life-threatening conditions, health, safety or environmental hazards, and call respective emergency services.
Fixed Telephone Lines
When calling to Lithuania, please use the country code: +370.
Then, when dialling to the fixed telephone line, please, use a certain code of the city, e.g.:
- to Kaunas: +370 – 37 – (telephone number);
- to Vilnius: +370 – 5 – (telephone number);
- to Klaipeda: +370 – 46 – (telephone number).
If you want to call outside the country, please, dial: 00 – area code and telephone number.
Mobile GSM Networks
There are three major mobile service providers in the country: Omnitel, Bitė GSM and Tele2. Excellent connection is ensured not only in Lithuania but also throughout many other countries.
Internet
Cities are teeming with Internet cafés, while smaller towns and villages feature over 800 public internet access points (in libraries, post offices, tourist information centres, etc.). Internet access points are marked with a @ sign. Anyway, Kauno kolegija / University of Applied Sciences provides internet to students.
Souvenirs
- Amber – Jewelleries and decorations of the “Lithuanian gold”.
- Flax/linen – All kinds of products, but mostly clothes. Low prices and high quality.
- Beer – The low alcohol has very deep-rooted production traditions. Many different beer kinds are produced in the country.
- Cheese – The white home-made cheese can be fresh or dried, sour, sweet or seasoned with caraway seeds. Diary products have been popular in Lithuania since a long time ago.
- Bread – Black rye bread is one of the oldest and primary foodstuffs in Lithuania. Usually it is being produced according to authentic ancient formula. Lithuanian people eat it daily.
- Wood – Wooden carvings and tools are typical for Lithuania.
Students Association
-
-
The Student Association of KAUNO KOLEGIJA / University af Applied Sciences (KKSA) represents the community of all students of KAUNO KOLEGIJA / University af Applied Sciences. This is an association of friendly, creative, inventive and enthusiastic students. The main purpose of the Association is representation of students’ interests and mediation between teachers and students. The Student Association is young and ambitious students, therefore the activities of KKSA are continually renewed by involvement of new members.
Naturally, the Students’ Association confronts with challenges and obstacles, but the members take delight in overcoming difficulties and sharing their achievements. The Student Association represents the interests of the KAUNAS KOLEGIJA students in the best possible ways and promotes the positive image and traditions of institution both within the institution and externally.
KAUNO KOLEGIJA / University of Applied Sciences is a member of ESN Lithuania (ERASMUS Student Network Lithuania).
-
Leisure time
-
- Between or after classes, when they have free time, KK students have lots of opportunities to participate in creative, technical and other types of activities, and organise various events.Those who love singing are invited to the Joint KK and Kaunas J. Gruodis Conservatory Choir, directed by the choirmaster and conductor Raimonda Navickienė. Theatre lovers can test themselves on the stage. The KK traditions initiated by the actress Olita Veronika Dautartaitė are continued by Gildas Aleksa, who leads the Drama Studio. Dance lovers have an opportunity to join the KK Folk Dance Group headed by Kęstutis Pušinaitis. Besides, there is a Modern Dance Group initiated by students and led by the dance artist Edvardas Ščeniovas. Those who like technology can join RoboClub led by the lecturer Igor Šajev.
The life of KK students is rich in dozens of traditional events organised for the community of the institution and the public every year. They include students’ Leaders’ Awards, Art Days, the popular fashion show “Gossip”, computer game tournaments and the demonstration of robot fights, R & E Days, the contest of beauticians’ professional mastery “Beauty Metamorphosis”, Massage Championships, the World Tourism Week, the international day of Francophonie, Kauko DIZO events during the Design Week, Charity and Support Campaigns, summer camps for children, a variety of events held together with the Erasmus students, etc.
Choir
KK and Juozas Gruodis Conservatory Choir
In 2009, the joint KK and Gruodis Conservatory Choir started its activities under the direction of Raimonda Navickienė, who studied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and has accumulated valuable musical knowledge and invaluable experience. In 1981, the acknowledged choir leader, who usually works with tenor groups, became the choirmaster of the Kaunas State Choir.
The joint choir stands out for its strong vocal performance demonstrated by a wide range of works performed. The choir performs modern music of gospel, jazz and other styles as well as classical and Lithuanian folk songs. R. Navickienė has educated a lot of young talents who reveal their talent in various musical events held in Lithuania and abroad. The choir has participated in the selection for Eurovision, the project “Choir Wars”, the festival “Young Jazz Wave”. R. Navickienė’s students were successful in the TV project “X-factor”.
Drama Studio
During the training sessions of the Studio, the participants learn to perceive themselves; develop their imagination and mime. They are taught to express mood by voice and get acquainted with the basics of stage art. The actors of the KK Drama Studio are students of various study programmes ranging from the fields of arts, medicine, technologies to social sciences, and all of them find a common language on the stage.
The Drama Studio has presented several prominent performances during its lifetime. Students played “Twelve chairs” by Ilya Ilfo and Yevgeny Petrov; introduced an interpretation of Justinas Marcinkevičius historical drama “Mindaugas”, and staged a fairytale “Blue Bird” based on Morris Meterlink’s work. These performances were directed by the famous actress and director Olita Dautartaitė. The director of the younger generation, Gildas Aleksa helped to stage two public performances. In 2015, in the performance “Wise Men: Far From Home”, young actors in a modern way conveyed emigration problems. The scenario of the performance was created by a student of KK. In 2016, the audience had the opportunity to enjoy the play “(Fe) Myths “, which dealt with the issues of women’s discrimination.
Sport
Students’ health is upheld by sports. Students can be active participants of various sports teams of KAUNO KOLEGIJA, attend different training activities, use the modern facilities for sports. In The Centre for Cultural Activities and Sports has been opened in 2016.
Contacts:
Dr. Andrius Brusokas, Head of the Centre for Cultural Activities and Sports
Pramonės pr. 22, room 110, e-mail: andrius.brusokas@go.kauko.ltDancing
Modern Dance Group “KauKo”
The KK students who are not indifferent to the dynamics of the contemporary dance and rhythm are invited to the Modern Dance Group by Edvardas Ščeniovas, the famous young dancer, the coach of the Dance Studio “Me Gusta”, who, by the way, is a student of KK.
Always smiling and good natured Edvardas spent his childhood summers in dance camps, where he understood that dancing is not just a hobby for him, but a passion for life. He embellished his dancing skills, and in 2007 became a professional choreographer. Being one of the first teachers of Electro Dance (Tectonic) style in Lithuania, he did not abandon Hip-Hop, Street Dance, Popping, Locking, Krump, House, Wacking, and Vogue styles as well.
Edvardas demonstrates his unique abilities not only on the dance floor or while training his groups but also during various TV shows such as “You Can Dance”, “Dance and Get Slim”, etc. “I am motivating and authoritative, and my aim is continuous improvement and leadership,” says the coach.
Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:00 to 19:30 throughout the academic year (Multipurpose Hall, Pramones Av. 22, Kaunas).
KK Folk Dance Group “KauKas”
The KK Folk Dance Group was formed in November of 2012. Its initiators were students Dominykas Anužis, Linas Masaitis and Vaidas Levanas, who had an idea to bring together a cool dance team that continues its interesting and purposeful activities to this day.
The first year was particularly successful. The young dancers had an opportunity to participate in various concerts and dance competitions. The greatest achievement of the group was its excellent performance at the National Dance Competition “Pair by Pair 2013″, where they won the second place.
Dancers have fun and a good time together not only during rehearsals. They also organise various gatherings.
By 2017, 70 concerts were held. The group participated in the Baltic Student Song Festival “Gaudeamus” in Daugavpils (Latvia), performed in Italy, the Czech Republic, Croatia, etc.
“We invite dancers to join a new circle of friends! We will dance and spend time together. Bring a strong desire, and we will get you to love dancing and smile. KK freshmen are especially welcome”, – promises Kęstutis Pušinaitis, the Head of the Folk Dance Group.
Rehearsals take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 19:00 to 21:00 throughout the academic year (Multipurpose Hall, Pramones Av. 22, Kaunas).
Kęstutis Pušinaitis is the artistic director, Aurimas Tiškevičius is the ballet master, and Irina Judickienė is the concertmaster.
“RoboClub”
Automation enthusiasts of the Faculty of Technologies established a “RoboClub”, which combines technologies, programming and creation.
The members of the Club construct various types of small robots. The students’ team is led by Igor Šajev, the Head of the Process Control Laboratory of the Faculty of Technologies, who acquaints with the electronic processes, and the novice constructors, using ambient detection sensors, diodes, phototransistors, batteries, etc., make various roboforms and become familiar with the programming principles. Students devote their spare time for this activity even in summer. They are happy to practice and get ready for robot competitions, which are organised every autumn. Young technologists take the products they develop to national robot competitions as well.
Robot enthusiasts are invited to visit the Process Control Laboratory (Pramonės Av. 20, Room 317) on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and join the “RoboClub” activities.
Fashion Show “Gossip”
The International Fashion Show “Gossip” is a great fashion event for the residents and visitors of the Kaunas City. It promotes the culture of fashion as a form of art and introduces young artists. The organisers of “Gossip” aim to discover new talents in the field of fashion, encourage them to undertake wider activities, promote the fashion of original works in Lithuania, and educate a stylish society.
The extraordinary fashion show “Gossip” aims to promote the culture of fashion, change the established public attitude towards fashion as a mass phenomenon and present it as a form of art, encourage young talented designers to create, unfold their abilities, help them find a niche for further activities, and present Kaunas, which is not pampered with fashion events, an extraordinary evening flavoured with the latest fashion ideas. A very important mission is to refute the still existing myth that Kaunas does not know what the style is.
- Between or after classes, when they have free time, KK students have lots of opportunities to participate in creative, technical and other types of activities, and organise various events.Those who love singing are invited to the Joint KK and Kaunas J. Gruodis Conservatory Choir, directed by the choirmaster and conductor Raimonda Navickienė. Theatre lovers can test themselves on the stage. The KK traditions initiated by the actress Olita Veronika Dautartaitė are continued by Gildas Aleksa, who leads the Drama Studio. Dance lovers have an opportunity to join the KK Folk Dance Group headed by Kęstutis Pušinaitis. Besides, there is a Modern Dance Group initiated by students and led by the dance artist Edvardas Ščeniovas. Those who like technology can join RoboClub led by the lecturer Igor Šajev.