A fresco of Mykolas Romeris adorning the facade of Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) at Ateities St. 20 in Vilnius has come to life. Passersby and visitors to the university can now scan a QR code to hear the story of this distinguished figure and discover fascinating facts about Lithuania. What makes the experience even more compelling is that the narration is voiced by Romeris' own grandson.
Blending historical and biographical details, the audio story offers listeners a deeper understanding of the renowned Lithuanian legal scholar and unveils lesser-known aspects of the early development of higher education in Lithuania.
The interactive project was initiated by Professor Dr. Romas Prakapas, MRU Senate Chairman. The script was crafted by Dr. Ieva Deviatnikovaitė, Professor of MRU Law School, drawing from Romeris’ authentic diaries, his professional work, and key moments in his life.
The audio guide reveals personal and professional elements of Romeris’ life, including his engagement with students, his legal work in Kaunas and The Hague, and his three terms as rector.
The initiative has already received enthusiastic support from both the academic community and Romeris’ family. Notably, the narration in the lithuanian version was performed by Romeris’ grandson, Darius Vitkauskas.
“We have no surviving audio recordings of Mykolas Romeris, so we don't know what his voice actually sounded like. That’s why we thought it would be interesting to hear the voice of his grandson. Who knows, maybe they sound alike?”, said Prof. Dr. I. Deviatnikovaitė.
According to Prof. Dr. I. Deviatnikovaitė, the project represents an effort to convey timeless values through the lens of modern technology. “We are trying to present eternal values in a contemporary and engaging way to spark young people’s interest in their country’s history and its people,” she explained.
The audio story is also available in English, with the English narration performed by Linas Selmistraitis, Vice-Dean (for Studies) of Faculty of Human and Social Studies.
A reminder: May 17 marks the 145th anniversary of Mykolas Romeris’ birth. To commemorate the occasion, MRU will host the traditional “Celebration of Academic Thought” on May 15 at 11:00 a.m. During the event, Prof. Dr. Ieva Deviatnikovaitė will deliver a lecture titled “Professor Mykolas Romeris and Higher Education in Lithuania.” Winners of the student competition “Professor Mykolas Romeris’ Diaries” will be honored, and an oak tree will be planted to mark the 35th anniversary of MRU.