We warmly invite students, lecturers, administration, and guests to join us for the "Cherry Blossom Festival" on April 16th, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the “Friendship Garden” (Bičiulių sodas), located at Didlaukio g. 55, Vilnius.

This year, as every spring, we will celebrate in the Friendship Garden, established by Mykolas Romeris University. The cherry blossom garden, planted eight years ago, has taken root and flourished next to the MRU LAB – the Social Innovation Laboratory Center on Didlaukio Street.

The 39 trees growing in MRU’s Friendship Garden each have their own name — such as “Freedom,” “Courage,” “Respect for Human Rights,” “Peace,” “Justice,” and others, symbolizing universal human values.

The Friendship Garden was planted to mark the values upheld by MRU — the first state university established in independent Lithuania after the restoration of independence. The garden’s concept, tree selection, and consultation were provided by Kęstutis Ptakauskas, the pioneer of Japanese gardens in Lithuania. The garden features 24 cherry trees (sakura), each three meters tall, and 15 Japanese rowan trees, each two meters tall. The sakura were chosen for their symbolism of inner dignity, nobility, youth, and renewal, while the rowan represents inner beauty, privacy, peace, and sanctuary. These trees strikingly reflect the changing seasons — sakura bloom in spring, and Japanese rowans turn vivid in autumn.

At the opening of the MRU Friendship Garden, each tree was given a symbolic name representing human values and dedicated to Mykolas Romeris University and its esteemed professors who helped build and nurture the institution. All patrons of the garden are commemorated on a special plaque.

During the event, MRU Rector Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė will give a welcome speech. The program will include demonstration fights by the Vilnius Kendo Center, and we will enjoy Japanese snacks and tea.

If you would like to receive a reminder about the upcoming event, please register here.