This year Lithuania's capital Vilnius and the Austrian city of Linz are the official “European Capitals of Culture”.
This year Lithuania's capital Vilnius and the Austrian city of Linz are the official “European Capitals of Culture”. Like previous holders they will be hosting an array of artistic and cultural events. The aim being to advertise the cities and also bring inward investment through an influx of tourists.
Linz: drama on the Danube
Linz is Austria's third largest city and is situated on the Danube. The town is renowned for being green as over 50% of it is covered by parks, hills and meadows.
Linz has a buoyant economy with the number of jobs exceeding the city's population.
Among the highlights of Linz's festivals and exhibitions include “The Best of Austria”, an art collection showcasing pieces from 30 of Austria's most prestigious museums and galleries.
The Kulturbaden or Culture Bathing in Ottensheim is a popular place to go swimming in the Danube. In 2009 it will become an a cultural spot with visitors being able to spend the night on a platform under the open sky, watch theatrical performances and build themselves paper boats.
Visiting vibrant Vilnius
Lithuania's capital Vilnius will complete the pairing for 2009. With a population of 600,000 Vilnius is covered by forests and ancient churches, which were later transformed into museums by the communists.
Two rivers cross the city: Neris and Vilnelė. The town also has a self styled “republic” inside it - “Užupis Republic” inhabited by artists celebrating Lithuanian independence on April 1, constantly watched over by a sculpture of an angel.
The year of culture kicked off with a modern music and dance project followed by a music and light show directed by Gert Hof.
The highlights for the forthcoming year include “Art in Unusual Places”, “Vilnius Book Fair”, “Street Musician Day” and “The Oak Mystery” (theatre and music performance). As Lithuania celebrates its millennium in 2009, other events like The Millennium Song Festival of Lithuania “Songs of the Centuries” are also not to be missed.
What is it all about?
The European Capitals of Culture project began in 1985 with Athens taking the first plaudits. The objective was to highlight the diversity of the continent's cities but also the shared characteristics of the different cultures.
The high profile award can enable chosen cities to transform their tourism and cultural industries, attracting grander and more high-brow projects. MEPs from the Parliament's Culture Committee play a role in selecting the final winners.
Šaltinis:
europarl.europa.eu
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