Informal Activities of Pharmacy Students in the Last Decade of the Soviet Era

Abstract

Background: During the Soviet era, higher education institutions in Lithuania operated under strict ideological control. However, students found ways to express themselves through informal cultural and social activities. The Faculty of Pharmacy at the Kaunas Medical Institute (KMI) was no exception, as students engaged in various extracurricular activities that allowed them to develop a sense of identity and freedom within the restrictive Soviet system. Aim(s): To explore the non-formal activities of pharmacy students at KMI from 1979 to 1989, highlighting their role in shaping a generation that later contributed to the development of an independent Lithuania. Methods: The research is based on archival records, personal testimonies, and interviews with former students who participated in extracurricular activities. It also includes an analysis of student publications, photographs, and event documentation from the late Soviet period. Results: Despite the limitations imposed by the Soviet regime, pharmacy students engaged in ethnographic expeditions, student evenings, and artistic performances, including poetry readings and theatrical presentations. The faculty's ethnographic ensemble played a significant role in preserving Lithuanian cultural traditions. Additionally, student-organized events fostered creativity and intellectual discussions that subtly challenged the Soviet ideological framework. Many students involved in these activities later became key figures in Lithuania’s academic, pharmaceutical, and cultural spheres. Conclusion: The non-formal activities of pharmacy students in the last decade of the Soviet era provided a platform for creative and intellectual self-expression. These activities not only enriched student life but also contributed to the broader movement of cultural and national awakening in Lithuania, which played a crucial role in the country’s path to independence.