Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009

Events of the European Capital of Culture extended the cultural landscape of Vilnius

The marathon of events of the National Programme “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” has come to an end. Over 1,500 events of culture and arts, organised from the beginning of the year, were visited by more than 1 1/2 million residents and guests of Vilnius. Funds allocated in 2009 for the implementation of the National Programme amounted to LTL 34 million. These funds were appropriated by the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Vilnius, and the European Commission.

One of the most distinguishing aspects of the Programme was that the large-scale Project succeeded in mobilising different social groups for the achievement of one goal. In addition to the events themselves and full houses, it’s also worth mentioning that new spaces are already open for use by the citizens of Vilnius and visiting guests.The artists paid special attention to the area near the river Neris in the city. Railway and bus stations also opened their doors for art. It is expected that these spaces will be further used for cultural events.
The great majority of new projects of “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” qualify for developing into regular events of the cultural life of the city. Potential continuity of the Programme is probably the most important achievement of the Capital of Culture.

Global ambassadors of culture

According to the Director of the Public Enterprise “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009”, during the previous year the National Programme included all of the most outstanding representatives of culture, stage managers and composers, who in the course of implementation of the Programme introduced  the public to new plays and works of music that have already been recognised at the global level. Such theatrical productions as “Hamlet”, “Idiot” and “A Faraway Country” will continue to be performed and become the ambassadors of  Lithuanian culture and art in the world.
Young artists who were able not only to express their creative talent, but also to develop their skills while communicating during lectures and creative workshops with the most outstanding foreign art professionals. 1,500 artists participated in the programme of visual arts during which 3,747 of the works of art were exhibited.

Vilnius was spellbound by the Night of Culture

The largest mass events of “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” which shook up the city and left a distinct track in its cultural life included “Art in Unexpected Spaces”, “LUX Show of Lights”, “Street Music Day” and the Night of Culture “Let There Be Night!” The last two special projects of the Programme, launched in 2007, were developed this year  to the greatest extent, attracted crowds of participants, and are sure to remain a tradition.

The “Street Music Day” this year was hosted in 46 towns of Lithuania and also expanded to foreign countries, and “Let There Be Night!” attracted over 100 thousand people turning the city into a real oasis of culture. Even today, many inquiries are received about these events – this is the most obvious proof that they have left an impression on people and will undoubtedly be vital in the future”, - said D. Urbanaviciene.
Organisers of “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” stated that in 2007, events of the Project “Art in Unexpected Spaces” attracted almost every third inhabitant of Vilnius. 44 art projects took place in different venues in the city, information was provided by 80 volunteers, and more than 100,000 maps of the event were distributed to people. One year later Vilnius residents, who presented their projects in the Old Town, Uzupis and even Valakampiai, also joined this Project.
2007 “LUX Festival of Lights”. Vilnius was illuminated by 17 different projects of light – installations, performances, operas, and video projections. Two years ago, almost 700 musicians crowded the streets on the “Street Music Day” and one year later when another 31 towns joined Vilnius, the numbers of such musicians grew to 3,000 all over Lithuania. This year the number of project participants reached 4,000 and the “Street Music Day” was also organised by Lithuanian communities all over the world. On 2 May as a sign of solidarity, music was played on the streets of Belgium, Byelorussia, Chicago and Argentina.
Two years ago the Night of Culture “Let There Be Night!” attracted about 90,000 people who attended over 40 events. In 2008, the number of events jumped to 48, and this year there were 60 such events with over 100,000  residents and guests of Vilnius visiting them.
The opening events of “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” attracted the largest numbers of people – over 200, 000  Vilnius inhabitants and guests.
Opening of National Programme „Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009”. 31 December, 10.45-11.30 p.m., Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports. @Hoffmann_Spragtukas, a musical interpretation of E. T. A. Hoffman’s fairy-tale and P. Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker, involving more than 150 musicians, dancers, actors and stuntmen.

Youth created and improved their skills

The Programme “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” devoted special attention to young artists who were identified by the Programme organisers as the best investment into the future culture of the country. The “European School of Arts” project cycle involved more than 800 foreign and Lithuanian art students and young artists who dedicated their creative works to Vilnius and its guests, and improved their skills attending lectures and creative workshops.

The “Art-o-thlon” modern arts competition, organised for the first time, attempted to answer the permanent question whether arts in television can create a new form. The Showroom “Neu Now Vilnius ‘09”, with more than 350 European higher art schools participating in it for the first time, hosted all art forms under one roof. The festival held in Vilnius attracted the attention of Tallinn Capital of Culture. In 2010 it is planned to move this festival to the Estonian Capital. The festival of the European theatre schools “Decalogue –Dialogue” was organised for the first time, and representatives of Lithuanian design had an exclusive opportunity to create, learn, gain experience and introduce their ideas and creative potential to the city and its inhabitants for the first time. The experiment – project “When people meet” was also launched for the first time.

Cultural heritage traditions

The Programme “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” also included events related to cultural heritage. The “live” history was introduced by the “Baltramiejus Fair” reviving ancient traditions of crafts, the art programme “Baroque Dialogues” interpreted artistic heritage of the European baroque. Eleven other events, such as “Ice Baroque”, the international folklore festival Skamba Skamba Kankliai, Kaddish (Requiem) for the victims of  the Holocaust, etc.
The Programme of People aimed at the implementation of initiatives of communities and different social groups offered many attractive events – from the Children’s Creative Works Festival to the creative campaign “Haiku to Vilnius”.

For more information, please, contact:
Laura Gudzineviciute
Communication Manager
“Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009”
Phone +370 (5) 219 7902
E-mail: laura.gudzineviciute@vilnius2009.lt

Photos:

1. Opening of the Programme of „Vilnius - European Capital of Culture 2009“. 31 December, 12 midnight – 1 January 00.20 a.m., Cathedral Square, Vilnius. The light performance by famous light artist Gert Hof opens programme Vilnius – European Capital  Culture 2009 and celebrates the Millennium of Lithuania’s Name. Author: © Valdas Kopustas (ELTA).

2. MaProject multidisciplinary arts installation. Cluster project “European School of Arts“ of National Programme „Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009”. September 18 – 19, 2009. Installation World Premier. Lobby of the New Palace of Vilnius Academy of Arts, Vilnius. Photo by Konrad Szymanski.

3. Ice-arena opening programme “Ice Mystery”. 1 January 2009, 7 p.m., City Hall Square, Vilnius. Author: © Irmantas Sidarevicius.