Recession-hit Lithuania 'salvages' capital of culture programme

Organisers of one of the cities co-hosting this year's European capital of culture have denied that the event has flopped.

Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, is sharing the prestigious title with the Austrian city of Linz.

However, Lithuania has been so badly affected from the global economic crisis that it has had to drastically reduce the planned series of events.

Some 120 projects were planned when it was announced the city would co-host the year-long celebrations, but these have had to be cut to less than 80.

The budget for the event has also been slashed, from €30m to €18m.

Albertas Barauskas, spokesman for "Vilnius 2009", said, "We have been very badly affected by the financial crisis and, clearly, it has come as a major blow to have to reduce the programme as we have had to.

"Even so, I do not think it is fair to suggest, as some have, that the event has flopped. After all, we still have the second half of the year remaining."

He pointed out that several "major" events were still scheduled to take place, including an opera festival in June and the opening of a new national gallery.

"It has been difficult and I do not mind admitting that, but we have still managed to salvage the main elements of the programme," he said.

So far, it is estimated that some 400,000 visitors have attended events in Vilnius to mark the occasion.

* Further details are available at info@vilnius2009.lt

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