Vilnius’ Worldwide Corps of Goodwill Ambassadors
A dazzling entertainment lineup ranging from a laser show to a symphony orchestra and featuring highlights of last year’s Aperitif series as well as spectacular coming attractions got an enthusiastic reception from approximately 500 Capital of Culture ambassadors and project partners who gathered shortly before the New Year at Vilnius’ Forum Palace conference center & event venue.
“On one hand, this was a token of our thanks to the honorary ambassadors for their commitment and for the productive cooperation with them; on the other hand, it was also a chance to better acquaint them with our program,” stated Rūta Jurgilaitė, who’s been supervising the Capital of Culture Ambassadors Project launched by Vilnius 2009 headquarters in late spring 2007.Following an example set by the city’s founder and first ambassador, Grand Duke Gediminas, who sent out letters to numerous European cities and monasteries in 1323 inviting craftsmen and merchants as well as clergymen—Lithuania had not yet been Christianized at the time—to come to Vilnius, these modern-day goodwill ambassadors are volunteering to spread the word about Lithuania’s Capital of Culture all over the world. “Even though I’ve been studying in London for the last four years, I’m proud of my homeland, Lithuania, and I’d like to tell people about it,” said 25-year-old ambassador Gytė Mankutė (photo: middle). “As a guest in Lithuania, I feel it’s my duty to serve as a cultural ambassador,” said Josef Wanko, a Salzburger who’s been living in Vilnius for several years and is especially taken by the city’s diversity.
At last count, about 700 cultural ambassadors have signed up at www.culturelive.lt/en/ambassadors/registration. Among the countries represented are Australia, El Salvador, Japan, South Africa, Austria, Russia, the US and Cyprus. One prominent ambassador is avant-garde filmmaker Jonas Mekas, a native of Lithuania now living in New York.
