Vilnius – The European Capital of Culture 2009

"As a new [EU] member state, we are expected to deliver a new cultural experience, original approach and unexpected ideas. Only 577 days are left to 2009, so we must take action. We are determined to present the concept of our programme to the European Commission already in June, and, in the run of the couple of years, achieve that as many EU and neighbouring countries’ citizens as possible would become interested in Vilnius", said Ruta Vanagaite, the CEO of the Bureau, introducing her team and plans.

"As new employees have been involved in the Bureau team, there are now 10 people, and up to the end of the year, the number is going to be increased twice. The structure of the organization is created according to the Bureau’s two strategic courses of activity: programme arrangement and communication", said Giedre Kabasinskiene, the director of the Bureau.

The programme Vilnius – Europos kulturos sostine 2009, called CULTURE live, will aim to create a new experience of the European culture, where culture is an integral part of contemporary life, and every individual takes part in the creation of culture.

"The word live is used in music when the performance involves performers and spectators who are physically present. The programme CULTURE live is going to be based on the same principle. We will seek to let the creators and consumers of culture out of their ‘enclosures’ and encourage them express their relationship with Europe. Let’s create, Let’s communicate, Let’s remember, Let’s live – these are the mottos of the programmes", said Elona Bajoriniene, the director of the programmes.

The CULTURE live programme is made up of four parts: the European Art Programme, Culture Re(Discovery) Programme, Live History Programme and People Programme. The projects of the programme will be selected following the requirements of the European Commission for the programmes of the European Capitals of Culture. The selection will be carried out and the project implementation will be coordinated by the Bureau’s directorate of programmes, while regulating the decisions with the oversight of the Bureau’s Board.

Although Vilnius is going to become the European Capital of culture only in 2009, the organisers of the programme are going to present Aperityvu programa (Appetizing Programme) including four introductory projects: Europos kulturos naktis (European Culture Night) (23-24 June 2007); Jan Fabre ir LT menas netiketose erdvese (Jan Fabre and LT Art in Unexpected Spaces) (September 2007); LUX – light festival in the darkest season of the year (November 2007), and the meeting of the ambassadors of Vilnius – The European Capital of Culture (December 2007).

The programme Vilnius – The European Capital of Culture 2009 is financed by the state and the Municipality of Vilnius city. One large-scale (1.5 million Euro worth) project proposed by the Bureau is going to be co-funded by the European Commission. It is also planned to attract various sponsors. The overall budget of the project for the period of 2004-2009 reaches 24,828,081 Euros, and the foreseen budget for the year 2007 is 2,404,927 Euros.

For more information about Lithuania’s capital Vilnius visit: Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009