This September, a partnership in research was established between the Centre for Asian Studies and the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Lithuania. On the basis of Embassy’s request, the Centre prepared a report about upcoming Lithuanian parliamentary election and how different outcome scenarios could impact Lithuania-China relationship. We hope this marks a beginning of increased cooperation between the Centre and China’s Embassy.

The Centre for Asian Studies is regularly engaged in research activities related to Japan, Korea, China or East Asia region as a whole. This includes research conducted directly for institutions or businesses that seek to create stronger links between Lithuania and East Asia. That includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, the Embassy of Japan in Lithuania, and others.

The Centre for Asian Studies invited scholars and the general public to an international academic conference “Travel and Mutual Understanding: East Asia, Europe and Beyond“ that was held October 20-21 in Kaunas, Lithuania at VMU Small Hall (Daukanto st. 28, 2nd floor).

The conference focused on travel as an opportunity for inter-cultural learning and both material and immaterial exchanges. The conference papers reviewed the history of travelers’ contacts, tourism policy, tourist industry and other related topics spanning from early 20th century until today, with most focus given to East Asian countries. (more…)

This September, 14-17, the 27thEAJRS (European Association of Japanese Resource Specialists) took place in Bucharest University. Vytautas Magnus University was represented there by Arvydas Kumpis, a senior coordinator the Centre for Asian Studies and a librarian at VMU Library. He made a presentation on “Contemporary Japanese studies in Vytautas Magnus University: presentation of collection on Social sciences and Humanities”.
EAJRS conferences are one of most important events for the specialists dealing with Japanese resources – librarians, archivists, researchers, publishers. This year, the participants came from participants from United Kingdom, Russia, the Netherlands, France, Germany, (more…)

On September 19th, the delegation of Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission in Lithuania met VMU Vice-Rector and discussed the issues on education. Participants were invited to attend presentations about the University and its internationality as well as the history and activity of the Centre for Asian studies. After the official part of the meeting Index delegation was invited to the Asian Books Space (ABS), which is located in VMU Vaclovas Biržiška Library, and to participate in the discussion on the needs and importance of Asian studies in Lithuania with the students of East Asian Cultures and Languages program. (more…)

Vytautas Magnus University Centre for Asian Studies together with VMU Library kindly invites You to the opening of Asian Books Space (ABS). The ceremony will take part on the 30th of September (Friday), 15:00 in V. Biržiška Reading Room (Donelaičio 52, Kaunas).

Asian Books Space is integral part of VMU Library located in V. Biržiška Reading Room. ABS contains the library funds from the former Ch. Sugihara Reading Room. Presently it consists from more than 4600 books on the topics of Asian countries, that have been collected thanks to the efforts of international foundations, diplomatic institutions and people, and becomes one of the bigest collections on Asian studies in the Baltics.

VMU Centre for Asian Studies invites you to the demonstration of Japanese tea ceremony, which will take place on September 5th. 18:00. VMU Arts Centre Hall, Vytautas pr. 71.

Japanese tea drinking rituals and the subtleties will be reviled by master Senyu Tanaka from Japan, who visit Lithuania for the second time this year. Master Senyu Tanaka belongs to the family, which during the Meiji period (1868-1912) established a new direction of tea ceremony – the Society of Japanese Tea Ceremony. This direction of the tea ceremony aims are to convey the tradition according to the changing needs of society, emphasize respect for each tea ceremony and use things and people during the ceremony to communicate harmony. Master Senyu Tanaka is the head of the main Society training centre, based in Tokyo, as well as are author of number of books about tea ceremony. (more…)

Since June, 2016 Ch. Sugihara Reading Room was closed but in the beginning of September all the books will be publicly available in new place. Asian Books Space (ABS) is a part of Biržiška Reading Room (Donelaičio 52) where all of the funds from former Sugihara Reading Room will be placed. The new place, compared to the former one, allows the visitors to use modern equipment, computerized working places, contemporary interior and is easy approachable for all of the students. Official opening of the ABS will be announced later.

This September 11th the screening of a movie about Chiune Sugihara will take place in the historical movie theater “Romuva” in Kaunas. During this event the viewers will be able to meet the delegation from Gifu prefecture, including Jaocu city mayor, who will hand funds donated by Gifu people for Sugihara fond “Diplomats for Life” to Sugihara building repair.

The start of the event: 18:00. The priority to enter the event will be given to thouse, who will have special invitations from Romuva. The invitations could be taken in theatre box office during working hours.

The last autumn premmier of the movie recieved a large influx of viewers and in Japan this movie became one of the most watched. During the event Lithuanians had an opportunity to meet the director Cellin Gluck and main role actors Toshiaki Karasawa (Chiune Sugihara) ir Koyuki (Jukiko Sugihara). After the event Kaunas Deputy Mayor S. Kairys handed flowers and papers announcing them Honorary Ambassadors of Kaunas city tourism.

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We kindly invite you to the fifth Japanese cultural festival and a tenth  bonsai and suiseki exhibition in Alytus, which will be held from September 2nd until 4th by Lithuania Bonsai Association and “Black Scissors” community. VMU Centre for Asian Studies is one of the partners of the event and many of VMU students will be volunteers in this festival.

Attendees will be able to see artists from around the world with their bonsai trees and suiseki, have a look at traditional kimono, enjoy Japanese theater Kiogeno performance, attend variuos lectures about Japanese culture. The second day of the festival, Saturday, will be designed for children, for this reason usual lectures will be complemented by workshops. Each day of the event will end with jazz artists from Japan performance. (more…)

Before the end of the summer the employees of the Centre for Asian Studies started their summer holidays. The centre will be closed entirely from August 1st to 15th. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We express our gratitude to the students, clubs and partners for the fruitful collaborations during the past school year. Hopefully that all of You will get plenty of rest and come back well rested and full of creative energy for the upcoming semester. Happy summer holidays!

We are happy to announce a call for papers for the 5th annual international students’ conference on Asia. The conference will take place on April 9 at Vytautas Magnus University (V. Putvinskio 23, Kaunas).

If you are interested in East Asian cultures, languages, arts, economics or other areas, this event is just for you. The conference, organized by VMU East Asian Languages ​​and Cultures students, together with the Centre for Asian Studies and the Department of Cultural Studies, is a great opportunity to share your accumulated knowledge, work or research with colleagues in this field and not only, to gain experience and improve your public speaking skills, or even get some inspirations. (more…)

We are sharing the invitation to submit abstracts for the 4th annual Student academic Conference, focusing on Asia. The conference will be held on April 24, 11:00-14:00, V. Putvinskio 23-310 in Kaunas, Lithuania.

This event, which has become an integral part of VMU Asian Week, is organized by VMU Regional Studies Asian specialization students and VMU Center for Asian Studies together with the Department of Cultural Studies. As every year, students from various fields whose work and research touch on the topic of Asia are welcome, both from the humanities, social sciences, arts and other disciplines. (more…)

The National Taiwan Library announced “Guidelines to the National Taiwan Library Fellowship for International Visiting Scholars and Students”.
The library provides Fellowship for experts and scholars to pursue their academic goals in Taiwan studies or Southeast Asia studies. Please click here to read more.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Lithuanian.

It is time for all who are interested in East Asian cultures, languages, economics, politics and more to come together for what has become an annual student research conference, organised by the VMU East Asia Cultures and Languages students.
This conference is a great opportunity to share your knowledge, work and research with colleagues in the field, to try and improve your public speaking skills, to gain experience and to listen to presentations by like-minded people. (more…)

Sorry, this entry is only available in Lithuanian.

Are you interested in politics of Japan? Maybe you are interested in economy of China? Maybe you are fascinated in Korean art and traditions? It does not matter in which field you are interested in, as long as it is related to East Asia we have a very interesting proposition to you. (more…)

VMU Department of International Relations informs about ongoing studies exchange and internship contests as well as “Erasmus Days’21” which are going to take place on February 17th, 18th, and 19th, during which students will be able to learn more about exchange opportunities. (more…)

Beijing Normal University entrusts the European Federation of Overseas Chinese and Chinese Associations to recruit 100 candidates for MBA and MPA studies (conducted fully in English) from all over the world. Appropriate students are welcome to sign up. (more…)

Applications for scholarships for studies in China in 2021-2022 are open. Persons who are nationals of Lithuania, EU or persons from the third countries having the right to live in Lithuania are welcome to apply.

Applications may be submitted by representatives of various fields of Lithuanian science and studies institutions/ representatives of science fields – Bachelor, Masters and PhD students. (more…)