5TH INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM OF GENEALOGY, HERALDRY, AND VEXILLOLOGY
Participants, lecturers, officials, and organisers of the colloquium after the first day of the colloquium. 2026 GHVI photo.
5th International Colloquium of Genealogy, Heraldry, and Vexillology (ICGHV5) 2026 – Vilnius, Lithuania
Theme: “The State and Noble Families: Political, Social, and Cultural Heritage”
Scholars, researchers, and specialists in genealogy, heraldry, and vexillology from more than twenty countries – including Argentina, Croatia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and United Kingdom – will participate in the Colloquium.
The 5th International Colloquium of Genealogy, Heraldry, and Vexillology (ICGHV5) was held on 22–23 May 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Organised by the Institute of Genealogy, Heraldry and Vexillology (GHVI), the colloquium brought together scholars, researchers, heraldists, genealogists, vexillologists, and representatives of academic institutions and organisations from 24 countries.
This year’s theme, “The State and Noble Families: Political, Social, and Cultural Heritage”, encouraged interdisciplinary discussions on genealogy, heraldry, vexillology, historical memory, noble lineages, state symbolism, and cultural heritage. During the colloquium, 34 academic presentations were delivered by researchers from across Europe and beyond.
A particularly important role in the colloquium was played by the Académie Internationale de Généalogie (AIG). The President of the AIG, dr Maria Loredana Pinotti degli Uberti (San Marino), officially opened the colloquium with a welcoming address and actively participated throughout the event. Her presence underlined the importance of international academic cooperation and the role of genealogy within broader historical and cultural studies.
The colloquium was also attended by the President of the Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques (FIAV), doc. dr Željko Heimer (Croatia), whose participation highlighted the international significance of vexillological studies within the programme of the colloquium.
Dr Maria Loredana Pinotti degli Uberti also took part in the International Forum entitled “Lineage and Symbols of Authority: Genealogy, Heraldry and Vexillology in the Heritage of States and Noble Families”, where distinguished international scholars discussed the role of symbolic heritage, noble traditions, historical identity, and the future of genealogical and heraldic studies in a changing world.
The forum participants included dr Giorgio Cuneo (Italy), prof. dr Gerard Marí Brull (Spain), Rodrigo López-Portillo y Lancaster-Jones (Mexico), Franciszek Viscardi (Poland), prof. dr László T. Kóczy de Borgó & Nagy-Sikárló (Hungary), and Rostyslav Kasyanenko (Ukraine/Germany). The discussion was moderated by Dirk Weissleder (Germany), Vice-President of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH).
The colloquium programme also included a heraldic artists’ exhibition featuring works by Paulius Vaniuchinas (Lithuania), dr Jovan Janovski (Macedonia), Edgar Sims (Latvia), Björn Christian Fridén (Sweden), dr Antonio Salmerón Cabañas (Spain), and Darius Bulanavičius (Lithuania).
An important part of the cultural programme was a guided visit to the crypts of Vilnius Cathedral Basilica, led by guide Alina Pavasarytė, introducing participants to the burial sites of Lithuanian rulers and the historical heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Following the colloquium, participants gathered for a ceremonial dinner at the restaurant “Valdovai”, located within the museum itself. The evening also hosted the 5th International Gathering of Armigers, strengthening international academic and cultural connections among participants.
At the closing ceremony, GHVI President Remigijus Bimba announced that the 6th International Colloquium of Genealogy, Heraldry, and Vexillology (ICGHV6) will take place in Vilnius on 6–7 April 2028.
ICGHV5 once again confirmed Vilnius as an important international centre for genealogy, heraldry, and vexillology, fostering scholarly dialogue and international cooperation between researchers and institutions from around the world.
The President of the Académie Internationale de Généalogie, dr Maria Loredana Pinotti degli Uberti (San Marino). 2026 GHVI photo.
The forum participants from left: Rostyslav Kasyanenko (Ukraine/Germany), prof. dr László T. Kóczy de Borgó & Nagy-Sikárló (Hungary), Franciszek Viscardi (Poland), prof. dr Gerard Marí Brull (Spain), the discussion was moderated by Dirk Weissleder (Germany), Vice-President of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH), the President of the Académie Internationale de Généalogie, dr Maria Loredana Pinotti degli Uberti (San Marino), general secretary of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH) dr Giorgio Cuneo (Italy), Rodrigo López-Portillo y Lancaster-Jones (Mexico). 2026 GHVI photo.
From left: general secretary of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH) dr Giorgio Cuneo (Italy), the President of the Académie Internationale de Généalogie, dr Maria Loredana Pinotti degli Uberti (San Marino), The President of the Institute of Genealogy, Heraldry, and Vexillology (GHVI), Remigijus Bimba. 2026 GHVI photo.
From left: president of the Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques (FIAV), doc. dr Željko Heimer (Croatia), Vice-President of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH) Dirk Weissleder (Germany), The President of the Institute of Genealogy, Heraldry, and Vexillology (GHVI), Remigijus Bimba, the President of the Académie Internationale de Généalogie, dr Maria Loredana Pinotti degli Uberti (San Marino), general secretary of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH), dr Giorgio Cuneo (Italy). 2026 GHVI photo.
The President of the Institute of Genealogy, Heraldry, and Vexillology (GHVI), Remigijus Bimba (Lithuania), and Chairman of the Board Paulius Vaniuchinas present the GHVI Honorary Membership Certificate to the President of the Académie Internationale de Généalogie, dr Maria Loredana Pinotti degli Uberti (San Marino). 2026 GHVI photo.
Organizer
Patrons
