When the European Union in 2009 should choose the first European Capital of Culture from one of the ‘new’ EU member states the choice was easy: Vilnius.
2009 was a special year not only for Vilnius but also for the rest of Lithuania, the country celebrated its millenium anniversary. Lithuania was first mentioned in the monastic annals Annales Quedlinburgensis (or Annals of Quedlinburg) in 1009.
In 2009 Vilnius presented a packed programmer covering music, ballet, theatre, visual arts, film, and literature. A number of international seminaries and events took also place in Vilnius that year.
All year round there are great culture events such as Vilnius Music Festival, Sacred Music Festival, Vilnius Opera Festival and many, more magical performances.