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On 21st August 2013, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė gave key note address at The London Art as Cultural Diplomacy Conference 2013: “Contemporary International Dialogue: Art-based Developments and Culture Shared between Nations”, held in parallel to “The Notting Hill Carnival 2013”.

The Lithuanian Ambassador presented the priorities and initiatives of the Lithuanian Presidency of the European Union Council in the field of culture and audio-visual.  “A Credible, Growing and Open Europe is the motto of the Lithuanian Presidency”, said the Ambassador.  “Culture and creativity play a crucial role in achieving these goals. Participation in culture gives individuals the opportunity to express themselves freely, the ability to accept differences, as well as to develop the necessary social and creative skills. Culture is the basis of the present diversity and communality of our identity, both national and European”, said Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė.

Culture-based creativity is an engine of our present-day economy with the cultural and creative industries growing faster and in a more stable way today than many other sectors of the economy, creating more than 7 million jobs in the EU. Input of cultural and creative industries in the economy today constitute up to 5%, and in some countries, such as the UK, up to 6% of the GDP.  

Having presented the most important themes of the Lithuanian EU Presidency, Ambassador elaborated on the inspiring cultural and art projects which Lithuania will present during its Presidency here in the UK. These projects involve the most talented Lithuanian artists and present the dynamic Lithuanian cultural and art scene in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and other UK cities. Details of the programme are available here.