The first joint gathering of Lithuanian diplomats responsible for cultural diplomacy in foreign missions and cultural attachés has begunActivities of the Minister of Foreign[...]

On 2 March, the first joint convention of Lithuanian diplomats responsible for cultural diplomacy at Lithuanian representations abroad, and cultural attachés, started in Vilnius. The convention aims to strengthen partnerships and networking, discuss directions of cultural diplomacy, and preparations for Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

When addressing the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, stressed that the mission of diplomats working in the field of culture was to strengthen cultural relations between the societies of Lithuania and the partner countries. Strong cultural ties with partners are essential for achieving national foreign policy goals.

"Let us build cultural ties with our strategic partners. Successful implementation of foreign policy objectives - boosting security, driving economic growth, expanding Lithuania's international influence - is closely linked to our ability to convince that we and our partners have common values and a shared worldview. And with our ability to surprise with ideas that are born only in our culture and its interaction with the world," said Budrys.

The three-day convention will focus on the use of cultural power in diplomacy and cooperation in presenting Lithuania's culture. A debate will be held on "Objectives of cultural diplomacy/international cultural relations - how can we work together?" and on "Lithuania's culture across a variety of contexts". Attention will also be paid to the preparation for Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the EU, especially its cultural programme. In addition, Lithuanian diplomats will discuss possible cooperation with umbrella organisations in the arts. Participants will also visit the Lost Shtetl Museum in Šeduva and the Stasys
Museum in Panevėžys, where they will meet with representatives of regional cultural institutions and discuss possibilities for closer cooperation.

For the first time, a joint convention of Lithuanian diplomats responsible for cultural diplomacy at representations abroad and cultural attachés is held together with the Lithuanian Culture Institute. More than 50 Lithuanian diplomats from Asia, Europe, North and South America, and 11 cultural attachés gathered for the meeting.