Lithuanian Basic School in Suwalki receives the name “Vienybės” (“Unity”)

The Lithuanian lower secondary school based in Suwalki will now be called the Suwalki Lithuanian “Vienybės” School. On 30 April, the school was given this symbolic name. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Science and Sport Raminta Popovienė, the Mayor of Suwalki and other city leaders, representatives of the Lithuanian Embassy and the Seimas.

“I am glad that this relatively new Lithuanian school is bringing the community together, seeking and discovering its uniqueness, and starting to create a tradition. I thank the entire community, friends of the school, and all those who contribute to the growth of the school with their support, work and ideas,” says Minister Raminta Popovienė.

The Lithuanian basic school in Suwalki was opened in December 2023. Establishing a basic school was a concern of both the Lithuanian state and the Polish Lithuanian community. The founder of the school is the Bishop Antanas Baranauskas Foundation “Lithuanian House”, and the acquisition and renovation of the building was funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania. Last year, the construction and fitting-out of the school extension was completed and the Lithuanian kindergarten in Suwalki was moved in there. In total, over €3.5 million has been allocated to the school over several years.

As said by Jolanta Malinauskaitė-Vektorienė, the Principal of the Suwalki Lithuanian “Vienybės” School, the name “Vienybės” (“Unity”) not only sets new tasks and obligations on the school but also provides a meaningful link to history as the Lithuanian socio-cultural society that was active in this region in 1907-1914 was also called “Vienybės”. According to the Headmistress, the current community, based on tradition and the long history of Lithuanians in this region, feels stronger in responding to today’s issues and creating the future.

There are 5 formal Lithuanian education schools in Poland. In addition to the Suwalki Lithuanian “Vienybės” School, there are 4 other formal education schools: the Private Lithuanian School “Žiburys” in Sejny, the “Kovo 11-osios” Lyceum in Punsk, the Darius and Girėnas Basic School in Punsk, and the Vidugiriai Basic School.

There is also a kindergarten with Polish and Lithuanian instruction languages in the municipality of Punsk and a Lithuanian kindergarten in Suwalki, as well as a school for non-formal Lithuanian education in Warsaw.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania partly finances the maintenance of Lithuanian schools, provides funds for education, textbooks, digital tools and other teaching aids and supports teachers.

Last updated: 06-05-2026

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