On 13 October in Paris during the 35th session of the General Conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the list of anniversary celebrations with which UNESCO will be associated in 2010-2011 was approved.

On 13 October in Paris during the 35th session of the General Conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the list of anniversary celebrations with which UNESCO will be associated in 2010-2011 was approved. Two Lithuania’s proposals were included: 100th anniversary of the death of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and 100th anniversary of the birth of Česlavas Milošas (Czeslaw Milosz). Lithuania presented the proposal for the celebration of 100th anniversary of Česlavas Milošas (Czeslaw Milosz) together with Poland’s National Commission for UNESCO.

The list of anniversaries with whose celebration UNESCO is to be associated in 2010-2011 is a prestigious list, every two years 193 UNESCO member states and 6 associated countries can present proposals regarding the candidatures of anniversaries of great personalities for their merits of world culture, education and science, and the candidatures of jubilee dates. Lithuania’s proposals have been included into the above-mentioned list four times:

In 1996-1997 the 450th anniversary of the publication of  the Common Words in Catechism by Martynas Mažvydas;

In 1998-1999 the 200th anniversary of the birth of Adomas Mickevičius (Adam Mickiewicz);

In 2002-2003 the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ignotas Domeika (Ignacy Domeyko);

In 2004-2005 the date of the 100th commemoration of the receiving back the Lithuanian press in Latin characters.

Every two years UNESCO announces this list and, in this way, contributes to promoting famous personalities of universal or regional significance, important jubilee events or other dates celebrated in member states. Besides, the celebrated dates are closely related to the values that UNESCO propagates and its objectives in the field of education, science, culture, social and humanitarian sciences, as well as information and communication, also promotes tolerance, peace, dialogue of cultures and mutual understanding of nations.

When submitting candidatures for the list of jubilee dates, member states undertake a commitment to organise events marking those dates.

In 2011, Lithuania intends to organise a scientific conference, exhibitions, and creative workshops for children and youths, and to create TV shows dedicated for M.K.Čiurlionis. Various events (exhibitions, concerts) are also planned in other European countries and Japan.

During the celebration of the anniversary of Česlavas Milošas (Czeslaw Milosz), literary events and poetry readings will take place in Vilnius, Kėdainiai and Šeteniai. Besides, a conference, symposium, exhibitions will be held. On this occasion, various events will also be organised in Krakow, Krasnogruda (Poland), Barcelona (Spain) and New York (the U.S.A.).