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EHU Fest: Bridging Academia and the Community through Festivities

Photo: Ruslan Sereduk

On June 23, the European Humanities University (EHU) hosted its highly anticipated event, EHU Fest, to celebrate the end of its anniversary academic year. The open-air festival brought together prospective and current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the wider Belarusian community of Vilnius for a vibrant and memorable experience.

With a diverse range of activities and performances, the EHU Fest truly captured the spirit of learning and creativity.

The event featured a rich program that showcased the talents and achievements of the university community. Lectures, success stories, and thought-provoking discussions encouraged participants to engage with diverse ideas and perspectives.

The atmosphere was set with lively DJ sets by Pavel Kirpikau, an EHU alumnus, sound designer, and co-founder of Radio Plato, who provided the audience with energizing beats and a vibrant ambiance.

The event started at noon with warm welcoming remarks from the EHU Leadership and Student Union, as well as from Mr. Ruben Harutunian, Charge d’affaires, a.i. U.S. Embassy Minsk, Belarus.

Following the introduction, the presentation by EHU alumna Elena Mikhailava, representing the American Councils for International Education, was given. Mikhailava’s talk, titled “More than a University: Out-of-Class Experience as Part of Higher Education,” shed light on the importance of extracurricular activities and their impact on a well-rounded educational journey.

One of the festival highlights was the Career Fair, where students had the chance to connect with esteemed employers from various industries. The fair provided networking opportunities and valuable insights from industry professionals, helping students explore potential career paths.

Career Fair brought together a remarkable lineup of companies and organizations.

The event continued with an inspiring session featuring success stories from EHU alumni. Nastia Khamiankova, co-founder of Imaguru Startup Hub, and Mikhail Sachyuko, IT Project Manager, talked about their career growth and the valuable skills acquired during their time at EHU. Their stories served as inspiration for the young minds in attendance, illustrating the potential and versatility of the education received at EHU.

Moderated by Maria Laktionkina, an EHU Lecturer, the discussion “Education today: theoretical knowledge or practical experience?” featured a distinguished panel of experts from various academic disciplines. Assoc. Prof. Aliaksandr Marchanka, curator of the Program “Theater Art and Acting,” Assoc. Prof. Dmitry Samal, Head of Informatics program (EPAM School of Digital Engineering), and Prof. Dr. Liliana Tymchenko from the Academic Department of Social Sciences provided valuable insights on striking a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in modern education. The lively discussion fostered critical thinking and sparked further reflection among the attendees.

Throughout the festival, attendees enjoyed a multitude of artistic performances, including electronic music, a standup show, and a live concert. These performances left the audience captivated and inspired.

Сomedians Anton Dziubaila and Mikhail Ilyin entertained the audience with their humorous performances. Laughter echoed throughout the venue, creating a cheerful and enjoyable atmosphere.

Opening the grand finale of the event, which was a sensational concert by Naviband, EHU Rector Professor Krzysztof Rybinski warmly welcomed the audience and thanked everyone who joined in spending this day full of inspiration, joy, and pleasant impressions together with EHU.

The audience enthusiastically joined in, singing along and dancing to the band’s upbeat melodies, creating an unforgettable experience.

EHU Fest fostered community engagement, inviting Belarusians and locals to join the festivities. The European Humanities University eagerly awaits future iterations of the EHU Fest, as it continues to build bridges between Academia, the Belarusian diaspora, and the local community, demonstrating the integrative power of education and culture.

The event was supported financially by the Belarus Affairs Unit, U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania.

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