Lithuania
Capital of Culture Year 2022 opened in Kaunas
View over the roofs of Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania. Kaunas is European Capital of Culture 2022. Photo: Andrius Aleksandravičius/Organisation Kaunas 2022/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Do you know Kaunas? The second largest city in Lithuania is often overshadowed by the capital, Vilnius. The Capital of Culture year is set to change that forever.
With an open-air show, Lithuania’s second largest city, Kaunas, started its program as European Capital of Culture 2022 on Saturday evening.
The main attraction was an elaborately designed multimedia light show with video projections on the facade of the Zalgiris Arena, accompanied by music and dance. In addition, numerous concerts, exhibitions and other events took place in the city of 300,000 inhabitants.
Opening speech in front of thousands of spectators
“Kaunas is culture!” emphasized the Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in his opening speech in front of several thousand spectators. EU Council President Charles Michel said in a video speech: “Today Kaunas is more than ever the beating heart of Europe.”
The motto of the European Capital of Culture year in Kaunas is “From temporary to contemporary”. In total, more than 40 festivals, 60 exhibitions and over 250 performing arts events and concerts are to take place.
Also Novi Sad and Esch
In addition to Kaunas, Novi Sad in Serbia and Esch in Luxembourg will also be European Capitals of Culture in 2022. The Capital of Culture year officially opened in Novi Sad on January 13th. In Esch, the grand opening party is planned for February 26th.