“At Klaipeda University, we are nurturing more than just trees—we are cultivating the memory of the state,” said KU Rector Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas. “The oak symbolizes strength, resilience, and freedom. Its roots are grounded in history, while its branches reach toward the future. By planting this tree together with the Lithuanian Armed Forces, we affirm that a strong bond between academia and defense is essential to building a secure and values-based state.”
The oak was planted to honor the 90th anniversary of the Lithuanian Naval Force, which was established in 1935. Participating in the planting ceremony were Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas, Rector of Klaipeda University, and Flotilla Admiral Giedrius Premeneckas, Commander of the Lithuanian Naval Force and also a KU alumnus.
The ceremony symbolizes the growing partnership between the university and the Lithuanian Armed Forces, founded on shared strategic objectives. Together, both institutions seek solutions to national security challenges, particularly in the Baltic Sea region. The Oak Alley on the university’s historic campus serves not only as a living space of remembrance but also as a growing symbol of unity between the academic community and national defense institutions.
“As we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Lithuanian Naval Force, this oak is planted as a symbol of strength, remembrance, and continuity—a reminder that national defense begins with knowledge, values, and history, which live on here at the university,” emphasized Flotilla Admiral Giedrius Premeneckas.
In 1924, officers and soldiers of the 7th Infantry Regiment of the Lithuanian Army—named after Duke Butegeidis of Samogitia—planted three oak trees on the then military grounds, dedicating them symbolically to Freedom, Klaipėda, and Vilnius. These original trees still stand on the grounds of the KU campus today and are considered significant historical and heritage landmarks.
In 2018, to mark the centenary of the re-establishment of the Lithuanian state, KU historians Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silva Pocytė and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vytautas Jokubauskas initiated the collection of acorns from these historic oaks. The saplings grown from them laid the foundation for the symbolic Oak Alley. Each tree planted there is dedicated to a specific historical occasion or major national anniversary.
