Cultural Diplomacy Continues to be Viewed Short-Sightedly

“Cultural diplomacy is not just a bridge that facilitates cooperation between nations. I am convinced that cultural diplomacy can prevent wars,” says Dr. Giedrė Pranaitytė, Coordinator of the Centre of Francophone Countries at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

Her love for the French language and culture, which began in childhood, not only opened up professional opportunities for her but also made her realise the importance of cultural diplomacy in preserving a country’s identity. She strives to instil these values in her students as well.

From Joan of Arc to diplomatic studies 

“My mother, Salvinija Pranaitytė, was a history teacher. Her stories about the Middle Ages, particularly about Joan of Arc, fascinated me. I also remember the paintings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary that hung at my grandparents’ house, painted according to the mystical visions of the French saint, Margaret Mary Alacoque. So my first acquaintance with France was through its history and spiritual traditions,” explains Dr. Pranaitytė.

Although there was no opportunity to learn French at school, she never gave up on this dream. Later, having enrolled in English philology studies, she chose French as an additional subject.

“I attended every possible lecture and course to learn this language. Additionally, I pursued vocational studies and obtained international certificates. At that time, travelling to France was not so simple, and it was expensive. Since, at the beginning of Lithuania’s restored independence, the main way to travel abroad as a student was through the Taizé monastic community, my coursemates and I took advantage of this opportunity to organise our first trip to France,” she recalls.

Having worked as an English and French translator from the first year of her studies, Dr. Pranaitytė assures she has never been short of job offers. “At that time, Lithuania was preparing to join the European Union, so there was a need to translate many legal documents related to this area. This became my stepping stone into politics,” says Dr. Pranaitytė, who worked for several years in the EU Committee of the Regions. Living in Brussels and having had the opportunity to observe many political processes up close, she wanted to find an area where she could combine her love for languages and her interest in politics. That is why she chose to pursue doctoral studies in International Diplomacy at VMU.

“When I returned to Kaunas, I deliberately chose to research the field of cultural diplomacy between the US and France. During my doctoral studies, I travelled to France several times. But this time, it was to meet the first French diplomats who resided in Lithuania after the restoration of our independence. Philippe de Suremain, the first French ambassador to Lithuania, made a particularly strong impression. Cultural diplomacy came into my life very harmoniously and became my great passion. I try to pass on everything that interests me personally to my students,” says the teacher of the VMU Francophonie studies programme.

We tend to underestimate the power of culture

Cultural diplomacy plays a particularly important role in times of strife and war. And wars, according to Dr. Pranaitytė, arise when diplomats can no longer communicate effectively. “Now, with the ongoing war in Ukraine, we see manifestations of military or hard power. Meanwhile, soft or cultural power is based on the endeavour not only to attract future partners but also to communicate with opponents or even enemies. Ultimately, all wars end in negotiations, so we must learn to lay the foundations of security architecture not just through military means,” Dr. Pranaitytė discusses the importance of cultural diplomacy, which she believes is still viewed short-sightedly in Lithuania. There’s a prevailing belief that only what remains after resolving economic and social issues is sufficient for culture.

“Even Winston Churchill, during the Second World War, told his pilots that it was especially important to protect museums and cultural institutions in Great Britain. For if there is no culture, there is nothing left to defend. This is still true today. If we lose our national culture and identity, we will have nothing to offer the world. We will have nothing to defend and will ultimately become spiritually impoverished,” says the representative of the VMU Centre of Francophone Countries.

Unfortunately, she notices a tendency among students to undervalue their own culture. “In this case, I encourage them to look into our country’s literature. Take the poet Oskaras Milašius, our first representative in France during the interwar period, who wrote in French all his life, although a collection of his works in French was only recently reissued. Consider the retrospective exhibition of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis held at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris in 2000 or the 2018 exhibition of Baltic symbolist artists, marking the centenary of the Baltic states, which was also honoured by a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron. And let’s not forget the achievements of our theatre artists, who often receive significant attention and win first prizes at the international Avignon Theatre Festival. All this is not only the merit of our artists but also of the diplomats who support and implement these initiatives with limited financial resources,” Dr. Pranaitytė lists Lithuania’s achievements in the French cultural field.

Learning the subtleties of cultural dialogue in lectures

A good understanding of another country’s culture and etiquette rules can help establish good business relations, believes Dr. Pranaitytė, who presents both theoretical and practical material in these areas to her students during lectures.

“I strive to ensure that students, before they enter the labour market and interact with people from French-speaking countries, understand the prevailing cultural codes there. For example, suppose we need to call a business partner to resolve an urgent matter. What do we Lithuanians do? When we call, we immediately state our problem. Meanwhile, the French would start the phone conversation by apologising for the disturbance, asking about the other person’s family or hobbies, and only then move on to the matter at hand,” explains the VMU teacher, describing the practical nuances of applying etiquette.

In her lectures, she also aims to convey theoretical material through specific historical and cultural events. “During diplomatic French lectures, we discuss diplomatic phenomena with students, such as the Algerian War, one of the most dramatic moments in French history, or when discussing the role of Senegalese riflemen in the First World War, I integrate literary works on this topic. This not only broadens the students’ intellectual field but also serves as a medium for initiating intercultural dialogue,” says Dr. Pranaitytė, discussing the importance of understanding cultural context.

Study years shape broader worldviews

According to the speaker, one of the most enjoyable aspects for her is seeing how students, who start learning French from scratch, reveal their talents and find themselves over the four years of their bachelor’s studies. “Many students choose minor study courses alongside their main study programme. Some opt to pursue a career as a teacher, while others are interested in literature and specialise in translation. Currently, with the increased demand for French literature in Lithuanian publishing houses, this field has become particularly promising. For another group of students, Francophone studies serve as a bridge to further studies in diplomacy and international relations – a path that I myself have chosen,” explains Dr. Pranaitytė.

She is convinced that no matter what subject you choose to study, without passion, reaching professional heights will be difficult. “Starting a professional career too early and relegating studies to the background is also not very positive. The university years are the best time to absorb all possible knowledge and experiences, and to travel. In that case, whatever professional activity you later choose will offer more fulfilment. And knowing yourself better, you will become more attractive and valuable to future employers,” concludes Dr. Pranaitytė.

More information about the Francophone Studies programme.