In 1977, Philologist Vilija Niauronytė graduated from Vilnius University in Lithuanian language and literature studies (majoring in the humanities). In 1985, she graduated from the Moscow Theatre Institute (GITIS): as a Director of musical theatre and variety shows.

Vilija Niauronytė explained, “I want Lithuanians to offer Europe less of their work, but stay at home and sell Europe more of their ideas, as ideas are worth more. Simply, Lithuania needs a strong humanitarian gymnasium that will grow into a gymnasium of humanitarian sciences. The pupils of such a gymnasium, nurtured in their native language, taught foreign languages from native speakers and language literature, and absorbing the heritage of world culture, would be open and broad minded, have rich imaginations and would be creative, honest and responsible young people that could reach any specialty, courageously projecting theirs and their country’s future.”

Since 1999, at the Vilnius Abraomas Kulvietis secondary school, a new discipline that integrates the science about Lithuanian culture, natural sciences, and history, has been taught: the culture of antiquity. Students learn this discipline from the 4th grade, beginning with the myths of world’s nations and Stone Age culture. (Student’s book: Vilija Niauronytė, Su mitu žvelgiant (A look at myths). – Versus aureus, V., 2004). Next, students will study the Sumerian, Egyptian, and Crete cultures using the soon-to-be published textbook, amžini kaip kalnai (Everlasting as the mountains). After that, students will study Babylonian, Hittite, Aryan, Chinese, Jewish and Phoenician culture through the now-being-written textbook, Neramusis antrasis tūkstantmetis prieš Kristų (The tumultuous second age before Christ). Finally, students will experience Greek and Roman antiquity; the myths and literature are interpreted, the Greek and Latin languages are learned.

In the upper grades, West, Central and North Europe heritage is studied in Lithuanian and Latin languages, and as the course is synthesized, the place and distinction of Lithuanian culture in relation to other world cultures is realized.

The photo is from the personal archive of the author.