The academy stands out not only for its scale but also for its spirit — it is not a dry language course but a vibrant cultural experience, where people from different nations and worldviews come together, united by a common goal: to get to know Lithuania through its language and culture. The students will take part in excursions, explore the unique nature of the Curonian Spit, relax by the Baltic Sea, meet local communities, and taste traditional Lithuanian dishes.
The academy hosts two main activities: Lithuanian language courses for foreigners, and Lithuanian studies for teachers at Lithuanian schools abroad. This year’s participants include students from Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Ukraine, Israel, Colombia, Georgia, Poland, Latvia, South Africa, and other countries.
“Twenty-four teachers from around the world have come. What’s more, they brought their children with them, so this initiative has become a true family camp, fostering the values of language, culture, and community. This academy is more than just a learning space. It is a place where a genuine connection with Lithuania is born, even if before there was only a surname or childhood memories linking them to it. Here, the world comes together to speak Lithuanian,” says Dr. Kristina Blockytė-Naujokė, head of the Center of Lithuanian Studies and Foreign Languages at KU.
It is worth noting that more and more participants return to take part in the courses again. Among them is the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Brazil, attending for the third time. This shows that the space created by the academy is meaningful, valued, and sustainable.
