How a Temporary Capital turned into a Contemporary Capital. What is a European Capital of Culture? What does it Promise to the Cultural Players?

For the last several months, Kaunas has been complimented with several significant signs of success. In December, Kaunas was included in the UNESCO design cities network, and at the beginning of the year, it won the National Science Centre competition. However, the challenges waiting for us are even higher. An application for its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List is being prepared. Kaunas is making an effort to gain the title of a European Capital of Culture in 2022. What would be the benefits of this title for the city and what could be expected if Kaunas was chosen as a European Capital of Culture?Read more

by Kaunas

WROCŁAW: a capital of culture created from scratch

Wrocław, a city which is similar to Kaunas, is being celebrated as a European Capital of Culture this year. Together with San Sebastian, these cities have been anointed as European Capitals of Culture. Poland is closer to us, with Wrocław only 800 km away from us (it can be reached within 12 hours), so let’s take a bit of a look at the cultural programme that is being offered by our neighbours this year. To be more precise, I would like to invite you to explore its rich programme and select the routes for yourself, and here I’d suggest that you look at the concept used as the basis for Wrocław’s entire Programme for 2016.Read more

by Kaunas

Ideas bank

On 6 October 2015, the cultural community of Kaunas approved “Contemporary Capital” for the title, slogan and direction of the programme at a public meeting initiated by the Kaunas City Municipality. The title is used as a first step based on the name “temporary capital”, which Kaunas was historically, and it has become a synonym of the city. This concept is further supported by stating that the positive identity of the city has not stayed stuck in the past century, because the process of its creation is taking place now.Read more

2016-03-30