Vilnius school to be renamed after philosopher Leonidas Donskis

The Vilnius City Council has approved a decision to rename the Taikos progimnazija to Leonidas Donskis progimnazija. The change is set to take effect in December.

The renaming was an initiative led by the school community to establish a more specific educational identity. While the current name, ‘Taikos’ (Peace), represents a universal value, the community sought a name that better reflects their focus on humanism, civic values, and critical thinking. Leonidas Donskis (1962–2016), a philosopher and political theorist, was chosen because his work emphasized respect for human dignity, critical thought, and peaceful conflict resolution.

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas expressed support for the decision, noting that the municipality trusts the school community's unified and well-argued position. Council member Aleksandras Nemunaitis also supported the move, emphasizing the importance of respecting the will of the school community in such democratic processes.