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The Teacher of Lithuanian Ceramists: 110th Anniversary of Assoc. Prof. Vincas Jasiukevičius

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20 September 2025 marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of Vincas Jasiukevičius (1915–1991), Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Silicates at KTU Faculty of Chemical Technology, respectfully called the father of Lithuanian ceramics by students. To mark this occasion, KTU Museum prepared a virtual exhibition entitled “Teacher of Lithuanian Ceramists. The 110th Anniversary of Assoc. Prof. Vincas Jasiukevičius” (the author is Dr. Audronė Veilentienė, Director of KTU Museum). The exhibition features photographs and documents from the funds of KTU Museum and the family archive of Loreta Kudarienė, daughter of Assoc. Prof. V. Jasiukevičius.

Pupil and student

Vincas Jasiukevičius studied at Marijampolė Rygiškiai Jonas Gymnasium, from which he graduated in 1935. He was an active member of the underground pupil organisation “Ateitis”: he published the student newspaper “Jaunosios jėgos” (Young Forces), acted in plays, organised Christmas parties for poor children, etc. From 1935 to 1936, he served in the Lithuanian army. In 1936, he enrolled in the Technology Department of the Faculty of Technology at Vytautas Magnus University. At the university, he joined the corporation “Grandis”, which brought together technical students who were members of the organisation “Ateitis”. The corporation had a tradition of forging a metal link each year, which was added to a chain symbolising the years of the corporation’s existence. Each new member hammered a nail into the members’ shield. On 1 May, the corporation held an annual celebration called “Grandkava”, during which coffee was consumed instead of alcoholic beverages. In 1939–1940, V. Jasiukevičius was elected chairman of the student organisation “Ateitis”. The student organisation “Ateitis” sponsored the underground pupil organisation “Ateitis” and published the newspaper “Studentų dienos” (Student Days). After the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania, V. Jasiukevičius interrupted his studies because he was warned of imminent arrest. He began working for the Lithuanian Energy Committee, researching clay pits and chalk deposits. From 1940 to 1949, he worked at the Geological Service in Vilnius. While working there, he researched clay pits and construction sites and conducted research for industrial companies. In 1944, he returned to Kaunas University to complete his studies at the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Technology. In 1946, he defended his diploma project “The Brick Factory with an Annual Production of 5 000 000 Pieces in Šakiai District, Operating All Year Round” at Kaunas State Vytautas Magnus University and obtained a qualification degree in chemical engineering.

Pedagogical and scientific work

In 1946, V. Jasiukevičius began working as a junior research fellow at the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the Lithuanian SSR Academy of Sciences and as an assistant at the Department of Organic Chemistry at Kaunas University. From 1948, he worked as a senior lecturer at the same department. From 1950 to 1955, he worked as the head of the Mineral Raw Materials Sector at the Institute of Geology and Geography of the Lithuanian SSR Academy of Sciences and continued his work at the renamed Department of Silicate Technology. In 1958, V. Jasiukevičius defended his dissertation “Research of the Corrosive Effect of Lime Inclusions in Ceramic Fragments”, for which he was awarded a doctorate in technical sciences. From 1961 until his death, he worked as an associate professor in the Department of Silicate Technology at the Faculty of Chemical Technology. He taught courses on porous fillers for building materials and products, building ceramics, ceramics and fire-resistant materials technology, and ceramics factory equipment. Assoc. Prof. V. Jasiukevičius is the author and co-author of nine textbooks and books. These include a translation of the “General Chemical Technology” (1949), “Production of Bricks, Tiles, and Drains” (1961), “General Silicate Technology” (1963), “Fine Ceramics in Lithuania” (1992), “Fundamentals of Silicate Technology” (1992), etc. V. Jasiukevičius was also intensely involved in scientific work. The list of his scientific works includes 31 scientific articles on ceramic raw materials, ceramic products, fillers, the properties of ceramic fragments, and glazing thereof. However, he was particularly interested in practical issues related to improving the technology of ceramic companies and the quality of their products. In this field, he was a constant consultant to company engineers, most of whom were his former students. It is no surprise that V. Jasiukevičius is referred to as the father of Lithuanian ceramists by his students. In 1985, V. Jasiukevičius (together with others) was awarded the Lithuanian State Prize for his series of works “Development of Majolica Stoneware and Bone China Technology Based on Local Quartz and Aluminosilicate Raw Materials and Its Introduction in the Experimental Fine Ceramics Factory “Jiesia”.