Historical ties between Klaipeda and France were renewed by the Alliance

On January 15, when Klaipeda commemorated the centenary of the region’s incorporation into Lithuania, a commemorative plaque was unveiled on the campus of Klaipeda University (KU) to remind everyone that, in the years 1920-1923, the 21st Infantry Rifle Battalion of the French Army was stationed in the then city barracks.

The commemorative plaque placed on the central building of KU square, testifying to the changeable beginning of the twentieth century in Klaipeda, was unveiled by Ms. Alix Everard and KU Rector prof. dr. Artūras Razbadauskas. KU rector said he was happy that, 100 years after the integration of Klaipeda Region into Lithuania, KU was again making joint history with the French, this time in the area of science. “Together with the French University of La Rochelle and universities of eight other countries, we as partners are creating the EU-CONEXUS Alliance of nine European Universities“.

After the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, the participants of the ceremony were invited to the exhibition The French in Klaipeda 1920-1923 which was prepared by the History Museum of Lithuania Minor in collaboration with history researcher from France Mr. Bernard Jusserand. The exhibition includes a rich collection of photos collected from the archives of the families of French soldiers who served in Klaipeda in the early twentieth century, revealing both the military agenda and also leisure, entertainment, and even funerals.