In June, the VU Law Faculty was visited by the Mayor of Szczecin (Poland) Piotr Krzystek and the Pro-Rector of the University of Szczecin Prof. Habil. Dr Kinga Flaga-Gieruszyńska. The VU Law Faculty and the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Szczecin have a close relationship, especially since 27 November 2022, when the first Lithuanian Law School in Poland was opened. This visit was therefore an opportunity to talk about the cities of Vilnius and Szczecin and cooperation between the universities.
How did the relationship with the Vilnius University Law Faculty begin?
K.F. Gieruszyńska
I met Prof. Habil. Dr. Vytautas Nekrošius in Japan at the beginning of this century. He was a Dean on that time. We had common interest in a civil procedural law so we started to collaborate in science.
In 2022 Lithuanian Law School was opened in the Szczecin University. How did this idea come about?
K.F. Gieruszyńska
We consider Lithuania to be a very important member of the European Union. First and foremost because it is our neighbour and the first country to act as a bulwark against Russia. Therefore, we need and want to build a strong relationship with Lithuania. So we decided that it was important for our students to learn about the legal system of one of our strategic members. Our interest in this school has exceeded our highest expectations, with about 100 people signed up. As the school was a distance-learning school, we even had students from Asia.
Are students of the University of Szczecin very interested in Lithuanian law and legal science?
K.F. Gieruszyńska
In Poland, many people graduate from law school and students look for a specialisation that will allow them to find a good job later. Therefore, the interest in Lithuanian law comes from the fact that many students want to use their knowledge of law and foreign languages to provide legal services to foreign entrepreneurs, for example. Or for Polish entrepreneurs who want to invest abroad. Also, the Baltic States are considered to be a very interesting market, and I think that is what is causing the interest in the Lithuanian legal system.
Regarding Vilnius University and the University of Szczecin, in what areas do you think the cooperation between universities and faculties should be further developed?
K.F. Gieruszyńska
Without a doubt and without any debate, law is closest to my heart, for example because of the common values that exist in the Lithuanian and Polish legal systems. Every year we have joint conferences and publications. Naturally, we are colleagues, so this area will continue to develop. I have also noticed that the field of economics is starting to develop strongly and many interesting initiatives are emerging. We will see if other fields besides the social sciences will follow our example.
Do you think there is enough cooperation between Lithuanian and Polish universities?
K.F. Gieruszyńska
We have very strong cooperation, but that is not enough. It should be stronger. There is a program DAINA of Lithuania and Poland governments, it is a program for Polish and Lithuania researchers joined projects.
Do you have any connections with Lithuania?
P. Krzystek
Szczecin has many links with Vilnius and Lithuania. Many people in Szczecin have roots in Vilnius, like my mother. This determines the relationships that are built. Today, Szczecin has a partnership with Klaipėda and we organise various shipping events together.
Do you have more universities in Szczecin?
K.F. Gieruszyńska
In Poland we have two kinds of universities. The first kind has a geographical name, as for example Szczecin University and sometimes geographical name and some important person name. As for example in Lublin is Mari Curi Skladowska University, so it is the first kind. The second kind university specializes in some areas – in Szczecin we have our West Pomeranian University of Technology of Szczecin, Maritime University of Szczecin and Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, and for example our University don’t have any technical, medical or maritime fields. Only social and humanitarian sciences.
What role do you think universities play in your city? What is their importance?
P. Krzystek
First of all, universities have an impact on development, because without them it would be difficult to talk about economic growth, preparing good employees for work. That is why every city takes care of its universities in order to develop them and to have international contacts. That is why we are delighted to be in contact with Vilnius University. It grows local potential.
We try to get students from different parts of Poland and the world, we specialise in certain areas, and we have many achievements. Szczecin also plays an important role in Scandinavia because we are close to the Nordic countries.
In which areas does Szczecin cooperate with Lithuanian cities?
P. Krzystek
In terms of communication between the cities, Klaipėda is in the first place, because both cities are port cities. However, we are separated by a distance, which causes certain problems. However, we are hopeful because we believe that the location on the Baltic Sea is the basis for cooperation. Also, in the context of the threat from the east, the Baltic Sea will be an increasingly important reason for the development of relations.
Do you often visit Lithuania, Vilnius?
P. Krzystek
I try to come here every couple of years because my family and friends are here and I visit them. When I was a child, I used to come to Vilnius a lot betweem the 1970s and 1980s, and I used to spend my holidays here.
K.F. Gieruszyńska
I have been there more then 20 times. In one year I come there 3-4 times, it is my second home.
How are you feeling in Vilnius?
K.F. Gieruszyńska
Like at home.
P. Krzystek
I love Vilnius very much, and I think it has a lot in common with Szczecin. The nature is quite similar, so I feel good here. The city has a beautiful history, unique monuments, which are always changing and being repaired. Vilnius as a capital city is constantly growing. You can see that being in the EU is having an impact and Vilnius is becoming more and more attractive. And that makes me happy.
Vilnius is very similar to Szczecin in size. We have a large lake, many rivers and hundreds of kilometres of canals, and there is a direct connection to the sea via the river and the lake.
What is your favourite place in Vilnius?
K.F. Gieruszyńska
I think my favourite place is Gediminas street, the street which begins at the Cathedral square. I like that on the weekend this street is closed and it is alive.
P. Krzystek
I really like the churches in Vilnius because they are old. I especially like St. Anne’s Church, which is very well furnished and preserved. Szczecin was bombed during the war, so it doesn’t have the same sacred buildings as in Vilnius. I also like Gediminas Castle Hill, the Cathedral Square, the Old Town, the Gate of Dawn – these are places I like to visit. There are good restaurants, lots of them, and green spaces. It reminds me of Szczecin.