Cultural attachés discussed cultural diplomacy and the work awaiting them
Yesterday (6 June) 11 cultural attachés residing abroad met at the Ministry of Culture.
Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys reviewed the Ministry’s most important works, initiatives, and key legislative processes, and expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by the cultural attachés in presenting Lithuania’s culture in their respective countries of residence. Minister Kairys emphasised the openness of the Ministry of Culture and its goal of cooperating with other institutions and sectors. The Minister expressed his hope that the cultural attachés would continue to maintain the variety and harmony of topics on which they work, to be unafraid of speaking about inconvenient issues, and to keep Ukraine at the centre of attention.
Minister Kairys drew attention to the success of the project Jonas Mekas 100!, which echoed across the Atlantic from Biržai to New York, the exhibition Vilnius-Wilno-Vilne 1918–1948. One city – many stories, which recently opened in Kraków, the reach of Lithuanian cinema, and the Season of Lithuania in France, which will take place next year, as well as other projects.
The cultural attachés each presented a project they had selected for what they considered its importance in making an impact in their country of residence, and they shared best practices. In addition, they discussed opportunities to present abroad the Lithuanian Song Festival, which in 2024 will mark its centenary anniversary, the programme for observing the 150th anniversary of the birth of M.K. Čiurlionis on a national and international scale was presented, and practical operational matters were discussed.
The following cultural attachés participated in the meeting at the Ministry of Culture: Rasa Balčikonytė (Germany), Gabija Čepulionytė (Japan), Laura Gabrielaitytė-Kazulėnienė (Italy), Vida Gražienė (European Union), Tomas Ivanauskas (Ukraine and Sakartvelo), Elena Keidošiūtė (Israel), Gražina Michnevičiūtė (the USA), Rasa Rimickaitė (Poland), Ūla Tornau (the UK), Austė Zdančiūtė (France). Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson (Sweden, Finland and Denmark) participated by connecting online.
The programme continues today at the Lithuanian Culture Institute. Tomorrow, the cultural attachés will meet with representatives of the cultural sector.
Photograph courtesy of Gintarė Grigėnaitė
Last updated: 24-07-2023