Lithuanian Kaunas – passionate admirer of Košice´s application

Košice received six visitors from Kaunas representing the second largest city in Lithuania. The Lithuanian delegation visited the Barracks/Kulturpark in the Kukučínova Street and attended a project presentation of the city´s application for nomination as ECOC 2013. They were swept off their feet.

“I am very much impressed with the project. I like to provide Košice municipality with some contacts to approach cultural institutions and associations in Kaunas. I really like the idea of heat exchangers and making the Kulturpark at the barracks facilities,“ said Stepos Vaicikauskas, Deputy Mayor of Kaunas at the close of the presentation.

The supporting activities of the city´s application also include the Second Cities project. Two photographers from Kaunas took part in this project last year. Learn more about the project at www.2ndcities.net
“The representatives of Kaunas showed interest in getting involved in our application project for nomination as European Capital of Culture and would like to take part in the artist-in-residency and exchange projects,“ added Alena Vachnová from the host team of Košice.

The city of Kaunas is known for its 1,621 m long Main Street, which is declared a non-smoking zone. Near the city is the largest water power station in the country generating 80 % of electricity in Lithuania. As well as historical landmarks, there are plenty of unconventional museums in the city: the museum of devils, ceramics, history of communication, the museum for the blinds, museum of the exiles and political prisoners, and others.

Traditional cultural events include Jazz Festival, Pažaislis Music Festival, Day of Kaunas, International Youth Festival of Music, International Grand Piano Ensembles Festival, Cantate Domino – International Festival of Sacral Music, traditional festival of provincial bands and Operetta at the Kaunas Castle appearing now on a periodical basis.

Kaunas will be heard of a lot in 2011 in relation to the European Men´s Basketball Championship. On this occasion the city plans to build a universal sports arena for 12,000 visitors for EUR 29m.

Text: Zuzana Lehotská
Photo: Jana Vargová