On the New Year‘s Eve the eyes of the world were cast on Vilnius , Lithuania
At the New Year’s Eve attention of the whole world was drawn by the show of lights and fireworks illuminating the sky above Vilnius. The show was broadcasted by almost 50 foreign TV companies, and more than 30 media representatives from 12 countries that came to Vilnius to highlight the opening events of “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” and the Commemoration of Lithuania’s name Millennium.
On 31st of December Vilnius City inhabitants and guests were invited to see a modern interpretation of @ Hofmann’s fairytale and P. Tchaikovsky ballet “Nutcracker” which was developed into a colorful and contemporary musical and more than 150 performers of classical and pop music, dancers, and actors were participating in this event. The audience were able to admire this musical followed by the combination of huge image projections, lights, special effects and pyrotechnics either from the Palace of Concerts and Sports of Vilnius or from the opposite bank of the Neris.
At midnight on the New Year’s Eve the Cathedral Square was illuminated with G. Hof’s mystery of lights and fireworks. The show of lights, which was the largest event of such type in the history of the Baltic States, reflected the Millennium history of Lithuania and celebrated the crowning of Vilnius the European Capital of Culture 2009. Unique art effects were created by impressive pyrotechnics, neon lights and other miracles of modern engineering.
Vilnius Cathedral was coloured in blue – the colour of Europe. After illuminating the night sky by “The Sun of Vilnius” created by more than 60 super-high image resolution projectors, twelve pyrotechnic loads symbolising twelve stars of the European flag were released into the sky.
In the evening of 1st of January the Town Hall Square welcomed people to the opening ceremony of the Ice Arena under the open sky with the performance of the most famous Lithuanian ice skaters – M. Drobiazko and P. Vanagas who together with other dance and ice masters and acrobats performed the “Ice Mystery”. On 2nd of January the cultural programme was continued with the new exhibition of paintings created by the Georgian art talent Niko Pirosmani.
Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 will present more than thousand cultural, artistic and social events overall. The cultural programme of Vilnius - European Capital of Culture in 2009 will not be limited only to the painting frames, cinema screens, theatre halls or congresses of international art organisations.
The motto Culture Live inspired by the ideas of the Fluxus (Lat. ‘flow’) vanguard art movement declares art as permanent change and stream, which involves everyone. Vilnius - European Capital of Culture in 2009 is the first creative programme of this extent in Lithuania with the active participation not only of professional artists, but ordinary residents and city visitors.
You may find event calendar and description at Vilnius – European Capital ofn Culture 2009 website: www.vilnius2009.lt.
For more information:
Lithuanian Tourism Office
86 Gloucester Place, London W1U 6HP
Tel.: + 44 (0) 20 70 34 12 22, fax: 020 7935 4661
