The Lithuanian Chemical Society may nominate 2025 as the Year of Theodor von Grotthuss, and there are two strong reasons for this.
Firstly, 2025 marks the 220th anniversary of the publication of the first theory of electrolysis proposed by Theodor von Grotthuss (1785–1822), a scientist of German ethnicity who spent most of his life in Lithuania. To mark this occasion, the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Vilnius University, Kaunas University of Technology, International Society of Electrochemistry together with the Lithuanian Chemical Society organized the International Conference Celebrating the 220th Anniversary of the First Theory of Electrolysis by Theodor von Grotthuss. It was the third conference organized by Lithuanian electrochemists to honor Grotthuss’s seminal work. Richard Compton (University of Oxford), a renowned electrochemist and advocate of Grotthuss’s legacy, noted that “almost every single speaker was able to identify the origins of their topic in that profound work from more than two hundred years ago”.
Secondly, the T. Grotthuss Laboratory in Gedučiai near Žeimelis, Lithuania, was honored with the EuChemS Historical Landmark Award at the regional level, a distinction celebrating Europe’s rich and enduring chemical heritage. To mark this occasion, a memorial plaque unveiling ceremony was held in Žeimelis on 7 June 2025.
After establishing the first theory of electrolysis in 1805 and introducing what is now known as the Grotthuss mechanism, T. Grotthuss went on to formulate the first law of photochemistry in 1817. These foundational contributions have had a lasting impact on the fields of chemistry and physics, influencing notable scientists such as Michael Faraday, Svante Arrhenius and others. Mayor of Pakruojis District S. Margis admired the fact that these profound discoveries were made in a remote corner of Grand Duchy of Lithuania by a lone scholar in a private laboratory. Vice-President of EuChemS. Floris Rutjes also emphasised that such important ideas grew out far from the centers of power or prestige, and yet became part of a much wider European scientific dialogue. Prof R. Compton highlighted the importance of educational aspect of T. Grotthuss, noting that his studies in Germany, France, and Italy exemplify the internationality of scientific effort. “If you do science, you can make an impact,” he said, “but if you are making an impact 220 years later, then you obviously got it right!”. A chair of the Lithuanian Chemical Society Almira Ramanaviciene expressed pride that Lithuania is the first among Eastern European and Baltic countries to receive this award, emphasising the nation’s strong scientific heritage and its role in the broader European research community.
Fig. 1. Scenes from the memorial plaque unveiling ceremony: Floris Rutjes with Almira Ramanaviciene (left) and Richard Compton (right).
. 
The original building where T. Grotthuss conducted his experiments still stands. Additionally, his legacy is preserved at the Žiemgala Museum in Žeimelis, where an educational laboratory for visitors and schoolchildren has been established, ensuring that Theodor von Grotthuss’s contributions continue to inspire future generations. This is the result of joint efforts led by the chairman of T. Grotthuss foundation Prof. Aivaras Kareiva (Vilnius University), local authorities, Lithuanian scientists and cultural professionals.
Fig. 2. The educational laboratory at the Žiemgala Museum in Žeimelis; from left to right: Aivaras Kareiva, Almira Ramanavičienė, Floris Ruthes, and Saulius Margis.
