Kaunas to be European Capital of Culture 2022 in Lithuania
Vilnius, March 30, AZERTAC
Started in 1985, European Capitals of Culture have developed into one of the most ambitious cultural projects in Europe and one of the EU's most appreciated activities.
According to official website of European Commission, the goal of the project is more relevant than ever: to provide Europeans with opportunities to learn more about each other's cultures, to enjoy their shared history and values and to experience the feeling of belonging to the same European community.
Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner responsible for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said: "In 2022, Lithuania will host its second European Capital of Culture after Vilnius in 2009. I congratulate Kaunas on its successful bid. Since their inception in 1985, European Capitals of Culture have helped to bring European citizens closer together, to encourage openness and exchange and to foster economic and social development of cities and regions.
This popular EU initiative is all the more important today given the big challenges our societies are facing. I look forward to seeing Kaunas give visitors from Europe and all over the world the opportunity to discover the city and its cultural assets but also to appreciate the diversity of cultures in our continent. As many previous European Capitals of Culture have shown, the title can bring significant long-term cultural, economic and social benefits - benefits that Kaunas now stands to reap as well."
