On Friday, the 17th of October, PI Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 delivered the sculpture of a White Angel to Latvian capital Riga as a gift inviting Latvians to visit the events of Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009. This event gained special attention from Latvian media.
Mayor of Riga City Janis Birks and Lithuanian ambassador for Latvia Antanas Vinkus Friday welcomed representatives of Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 in the courtyard of Riga Municipality. Vinkus delivered the greeting speech in Latvian, which came as a pleasing surprise for gathered Riga residents.
“I believe that settled in the centre of Riga, the White Angel will sharpen our imagination and openness and promote better mutual understanding between the three Baltic States. Riga will become European capital of culture in 2016, therefore next year we’ll keep a close look at our neighbours and try to draw inspiration and ideas from Vilnius,” mayor of Riga Janis Birks said in his greeting speech.
The presentation of Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 in Riga drew great attention from the country’s media. The event attracted journalists from major national papers, two televisions, news agencies, etc. Latvian national television started discussing the journey of the White Angel to Riga still a few days before the event.
Latvian media was mostly interested in the abundance of events, which are anticipated to exceed 900 next year. It also covered the White Angel’s sculpture and the introductory event of Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009, which will run together the New Year’s celebration festival. On this occasion Vilnius will feature a show of lights by the world’s best-known light artist Gert Hof, turning Vilnius into the brightest spot on the globe visible even from outer space.
“We are pleased that in Latvia Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 attracted great attention from not only the media, but also, for instance, travel agencies, which plan to offer tourists special travel packages to Vilnius - European Capital of Culture 2009. Our concept Culture Live raised great interest. We anticipate meeting quite a few of our neighbours Latvians at capital of culture events," VECC director Elona Bajorinienė said after the event.
In November, the White Angel created by sculptor Ramoška will land in Milan and later in the capital cities of Portugal and Luxembourg. This joyful symbol of Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 already stands in Warsaw, St Petersburg, Stockholm, Dublin, Ljubljana and other European cities.
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