Avalanche of events for Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 announced

120 art and culture projects and over 900 events to run in 2009.

On 28 October 2008, Vilnius is introducing the national programme “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” with nearly 120 unique projects, more than 900 events and the message to the world: Vilnius – European capital of culture opens the gate to the country which celebrates its name millennium.

“Next year is 365 important steps to create a new experience of European culture in Vilnius. In 2009, many places in Vilnius will feature international projects affecting many daily lives. The prestigious status of European capital of culture is the excellent opportunity to change ourselves and others. We’ll try to make use of all opportunities and to show Vilnius as a lively city open to people and to new initiatives,” says Elona Bajorinienė, Director of PI Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009.

600 events for free

The national programme “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” consists of 6 thematic fields: “Special Events”, which will include 16 projects next year, “Conferences and Conventions” (12 projects), “European Art Programme” (45 projects), “Culture (Re)Discovery Programme” (13 projects”, “Living History Programme” (16 projects), and “People Programme” (16 projects).

“The programme is intended for different audiences including gourmets of various arts, devoted lovers of specific genres and the general public. Plans are to implement nearly 120 projects, 90 per cent of which are premieres in Lithuania and 80 per cent are run in co-operation with artists from round the globe. Ten projects including Hamlet by Oskaras Koršunovas and co-production of opera Love and Other Demons by Peter Eötvös are co-financed by Lithuania and other countries”, Bajorinienė said.

Vilnius residents and visitors will be invited to over 900 events, two thirds being free of charge.“The outcomes of European capital of culture will step beyond the end of 2009. These include new infrastructural objects: the National Art Gallery, the multifunctional culture centre “Art Printing House” and works of art by the country's most prominent sculptors on the bank of Neris River.

We hope to develop new cultural traditions such as Lithuanian capital of culture elections, LUX Festival of Lights, Street Musician Day and "Let There be Night!" and to contribute to the creation of 11 new pieces of music to be living far beyond 2009. This is only part of the substantial contribution to the cultural life not only in Vilnius, but also throughout Lithuania,” Bajorinienė said.

From professionals to young talents

Partners of the national programme include both Lithuania’s most important institutions for culture (Lithuanian Art Museum, Lithuanian National Philharmonic, Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Contemporary Art Centre, etc.) or globally recognised Lithuanian artists (Oskaras Koršunovas, Arūnas Matelis etc.) and young creators (Linas Kutavičius, Julijonas Urbonas etc.) or newly emerging culture institutions (Kultfluxas, etc.).

What is more, co-operation involves influential foreign networking organisations (European Festival Association (EFA), International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM) etc.) and the most famous troupes (St Petersburg Maria Theatre, London Symphony Orchestra, the European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA), etc.).Prompted to take active part in the projects ("My yard/art yard", People Programme Foundation, etc.), Vilnius local communities and different social groups also play an important role.

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